Xiao Fenghua's heart skipped a beat at her words, and she subconsciously glanced at Zhang Yu's calm profile, inwardly muttering to herself:
"Could it be... that he really likes this kind of thing?"
The moment this thought arose, it grew wildly in her heart like weeds, and even the way she looked at Zhang Yu changed.
Du Jun's lips twitched slightly when he heard Zhang Yu's request, but he maintained his posture of gazing at the sky, only his fingers stroking his beard moved a little faster.
Making one's own granddaughter a Maidservant?
This kid... he really dares to say that.
But... it seems... not bad?
This girl needs a good talking-to; it'll be good for her to temper her temper.
Zhang Yu, at the center of the storm, merely raised an eyebrow slightly in the face of Hu Qingxuan's fury and questioning, his tone remaining calm:
"How?
Is Miss Hu going back on her word?
Everyone present heard the bet clearly just now.
'Could it be that the successor of the Medical Immortal Valley is a man of broken promises?'
These words, though seemingly casual, were more powerful than any harsh accusation, directly striking at Hu Qingxuan's weak spot.
Hu Qingxuan with anger, pointing at Zhang Yu: "You... you're just making excuses and deliberately humiliating me."
"Humiliation?"
Zhang Yu smiled, but there was a hint of coldness in his smile:
"Miss Hu, it's only right to accept the consequences of a bet."
My request did not ask you to do anything immoral or against morality, nor did it solicit any secret teachings from your Medical Immortal Valley.
I'm just asking you to do chores like serving tea and water and making the bed. How is that humiliating?
"Do you perhaps think that people who do these things are lowly and shameful?"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on Hu Qingxuan's face, flushed with anger and shame, and slowly said:
"Or is it that in your eyes, as a high-ranking disciple of the Medical Immortal Valley, only saving lives and healing the sick, and being high above others, is respectable, while doing trivial things for others is an insult to your status?"
Is your pride so shallow that it can't tolerate even a speck of dust?
Every word was piercing to the heart.
Hu Qingxuan was speechless, her pretty face turning white then red, then red then white again.
She wanted to argue, to say "yes," to say "I just feel humiliated," but reason told her that although Zhang Yu's words were harsh, they were reasonable.
She set the bet herself, and the conditions were arbitrary. Although the other party's request was unexpected, it did not violate morality, nor was it a true humiliation.
If she goes back on her word, she will truly have trampled on the reputation of her sect and herself.
But... but to be made Maidservant... She, the esteemed Direct Disciple the Medical Immortal Valley, Favored Daughter of Heaven, has never suffered such humiliation.
For a moment, humiliation, resentment, anger, and a hint of curiosity and vague Qi Ingestion for Zhang Yu's miraculous Medical Skill —which she herself was unwilling to admit—were fiercely battling within her.
Du Jun finally stopped looking up at the sky. He sighed, stepped forward, gently patted his granddaughter's shoulder, and said in a complicated tone:
"Xuan'er, you made the bet yourself."
What Zhang Xiaoyou said... isn't entirely unreasonable.
There are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding. Today's defeat may not necessarily be a bad thing for you.
Whether you keep your promise or... it's up to you. Grandpa won't force you."
Du Jun's words were like the last straw.
Hu Qingxuan's delicate body trembled violently. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes already red, but she bit her lip tightly to prevent the tears from falling.
She stared intently at Zhang Yu, as if she wanted to devour him alive.
But in the end, that burning anger and resentment transformed into a trembling yet exceptionally clear answer:
"Okay, I... I'm willing to accept the loss."
"Maidservant I'm Maidservant, but don't expect me to be subservient to you. I... I'm just doing my duty."
She practically shouted those words, then abruptly turned her head, her shoulders trembling slightly, clearly trying to hold back tears.
Looking at her aggrieved and stubborn appearance, Zhang Yu felt little pity.
This girl is arrogant and looks down on everyone. If we don't teach her a lesson today, who knows what trouble she might cause in the future.
Let her Maidservant for a few days to temper her temper, and incidentally... well, that would certainly solve the problem of some of the service personnel in the Heavenly Prison having an improper work attitude.
"Can."
Zhang Yu nodded, acknowledging her statement that she was only doing her job.
Then, changing the subject, Zhang Yu pointed to Li Dagang and Mo Zhai on the ground:
Before that, you should do your job well.
Although their lives were no longer in danger, their bodies remained weak and their meridians needed nourishment.
Since you are skilled in Medical Skill, you will be responsible for their subsequent herbal treatment and observation of their injuries, and report the situation to me daily.
"Isn't this also part of Maidservant's duty?"
Hu Qingxuan around abruptly, looking at Zhang Yu in disbelief.
Why should she, Maidservant, treat the injuries of two "servants" she had just sentenced to death?
This... this is simply...
But looking into Zhang Yu's unquestionable eyes and then at her grandfather's tacitly approving expression, she knew she had no room for negotiation.
In the end, she could only manage to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth. "... Okay."
Then she gave a sly smile and said, "Zhang Yu, you'd better hope your birth chart is strong enough."
The incident seemed to have temporarily come to an end with Hu Qingxuan's frustrated admission of defeat.
But everyone knows that the master-servant relationship between this genius from the Medical Immortal Valley and the mysterious prisoner in the Heavenly Prison is unlikely to be peaceful.
As soon as Hu Qingxuan finished speaking, Old Master Du Jun's fingers, which were stroking his beard, suddenly stopped, and his expression changed slightly.
He was so focused on teaching his granddaughter a lesson and tempering her temper that he almost forgot about the trouble this girl was involved in!
He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Zhang Yu, and said with a hint of urgency and apology, "Brother Zhang, wait! This matter... this matter is probably not appropriate!"
Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow and looked at Du Jun:
Why does Elder Du say this?
The bet was set, and she accepted it.
"Does Mr. Du perhaps think my request is excessive?"
"No, no!"
Du Jun waved his hands repeatedly, smiling wryly, "It's not that I'm asking for too much, but... alas, my granddaughter's identity is somewhat special, and I'm afraid it will bring you great trouble, even... your life, Brother Zhang."
Life in danger?
Zhang Yu's eyes narrowed.
Du Jun sighed and quickly explained:
"Brother Zhang, you may not know this, but the Medical Immortal Valley has always only accepted female disciples, and each of them possesses superb Medical Skill and a distinguished status."
In every dynasty and sect, which family doesn't suffer from injuries, illnesses, and misfortunes?
Therefore, disciples of the Medical Immortal Valley are highly sought after by various forces, especially those Direct Disciple disciples with outstanding talent and noble status, who are the dream dao companion of countless geniuses.
He glanced at Hu Qingxuan, whose face was filled with indignation, and continued:
"I'm not bragging, but my granddaughter is among the top disciples of the Medical Immortal Valley in terms of talent, appearance, and status."
When she left the valley to travel and "learn" back then, she attracted countless Princes of dynasties and Holy Son of sects to pursue her, causing quite a stir in Yuhua Prefecture.
Those young men, each proud and powerful, regarded her as their confidante and would not allow anyone else to touch her.
Du Jun looked at Zhang Yu, his tone heavy:
"Now, if they knew that the goddess they longed for was actually in the Wei Kingdom Heavenly Prison, serving as a personal Maidservant to a... a man."
How do you think they will react?
The answer is self-evident.
Those arrogant and powerful Holy Son would likely go berserk, viewing Wei Kingdom Heavenly Prison, especially Zhang Yu, as a thorn in their side.
They won't be satisfied until they tear Zhang Yu to pieces.
At that time, Zhang Yu will likely face not just one or two geniuses, but a group of young powerhouses from different powerful forces, blinded by jealousy and anger, and even the forces behind them.
After hearing this, Zhang Yu hadn't fully processed it yet; he just felt it was somewhat absurd.
I just won a bet and wanted to hire a temporary maid to temper my temper and solve my manpower problem. How did it become a matter of life and death?
However, at that moment, Hu Qingxuan raised her head.
Her eyes were still slightly red, but the aggrieved and stubborn look on her face had disappeared, replaced by a strange smile that was almost cunning and tinged with vengeful pleasure.
She looked at Zhang Yu, her voice still hoarse from crying, but her tone was exceptionally clear:
"Want to back out now? Too late."
When I agreed to be your Maidservant, I already used the Messaging Jade Token to... 'accidentally' let it slip.
By now, the news must have spread to certain circles.
She emphasized the word "accidentally," her eyes gleaming with the smugness of someone who had pulled off a prank.
"What?"
Du Jun's face changed drastically, "Xuan'er, you... you're confused!"
He never expected his granddaughter to be so vengeful and act so quickly; this was practically putting Zhang Yu on the hot seat!
The people of the Wei Kingdom finally understood the seriousness of the situation.
Prince Jing gasped, "Hiss—are those wicked devils from the Thirty-Six Domains of Yuhua Prefecture about to attack?"
Prince Qi's expression was grave, his brows furrowed, as he began to consider how to deal with the potential turmoil.
Xiao Fenghua rubbed her forehead, feeling utterly overwhelmed, and muttered to herself:
"This is a huge problem... If the heirs of those powerful forces come together, Zhang Yu will be severely injured, if not killed."
She glanced at Hu Qingxuan, who was smiling, then looked at Zhang Yu, who had an "innocent" expression, and thought to herself:
"He insisted on provoking that Little Girl, even trying those 'maid and young master' tricks. Now he's really messed up, hasn't he? He deserves it."
Xiao Meier's eyes lit up, and she said with a hint of excitement:
"Sister, the plans have changed."
It seems the 'maid-sweeping strategy' needs to be accelerated; while he's still healthy, let's move on to the next step quickly.
Otherwise, if those hordes of suitors really come knocking on his door and damage him, he won't be of much use anymore."
Her use of the word "use" clearly had a deeper meaning.
Xiao Fenghua's cheeks flushed slightly at her words, and she couldn't help but pinch her, scolding in a low voice, "What time is it, still thinking about these things?"
Du Jun, looking embarrassed and guilty, rubbed his hands together and said to Zhang Yu:
"Brother Zhang, I'm so sorry, so sorry."
Don't worry, I'll go back right away and talk to her. I'll try to get her to cover it up. It shouldn't... it shouldn't lead to anyone dying, right?"
He himself didn't seem very confident when he said it.
The wrath of those arrogant geniuses is not so easily quelled.
Moreover, Hu Qingxuan was clearly doing it on purpose.
What do you mean by "it shouldn't lead to anyone dying"?
Zhang Yu finally digested this enormous amount of information and felt speechless.
What did I do to deserve this?
It's just winning a bet, isn't it?
How did you end up in such a mess?
Disciplining your granddaughter, and I still have to risk being hunted down by all the talented young men in the world?
Is this how you play?
He looked at Hu Qingxuan, who was staring back at him with a hint of smugness and provocation, as if to say: Scared now? Regretful now? Serves you right for bullying me!
The slight unease Zhang Yu felt about bullying the Little Girl vanished instantly.
This girl, she doesn't need anyone's pity.
She's a little devil in angel's clothing, and she's incredibly vengeful.
However... Zhang Yu thought about it again.
Even if those Princes and Holy Son received the news, it would still take them time to travel from Yuhua Prefecture or other places to the Wei Kingdom, wouldn't it?
It will take at least ten days to half a month, or even longer.
And what about myself?
If one's One Year of Cultivation in a single day, how much stronger will one be when those "desperate suitors" actually come knocking on one's door?
Thinking this through, Zhang Yu's initial worry and sense of absurdity gradually dissipated, replaced by a calm anticipation, even a hint of... expectation?
Perfect, let's use those so-called prodigies to test their Cultivation.
The bewilderment and speechlessness on his face quickly faded, replaced by a calm and composed expression, even with a faint smile.
This change elicited different reactions from different people.
Hu Qingxuan thought he was just putting on a brave face and sneered inwardly.
Du Jun thought he was terrified and felt even more guilty.
Xiao Xuan secretly admired him: No wonder he was suspected to be a reincarnation of Immortal. He could remain so calm even after hearing that he might be hunted down by all the geniuses in the world!
Zhang Yu ignored the various gazes from the crowd and no longer dwelled on the Maidservant and the kill order.
When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it.
Right now, he has more important things to deal with.
He turned his gaze to Xiao Fenghua, his tone calm, yet carrying an undeniable chill:
"Where are Qin Xuehua and Zhang Heng from the Marquis Yong'an's Estate's residence now?"