Encountering a Ghost

The next day, at Chenshi.

Xiang Yuan arrived at the Xiao residence on Willow Creek Street, saber at his hip, carrying the official document stamped by County Lieutenant Qin.

Starting today, he would move into the Xiao residence and no longer needed to report to the County Yamen. His sole responsibility was Xiao He's personal safety, or rather, he had become Xiao He's playmate while the latter neglected his proper duties.

The County Yamen's salary and pills would be distributed as usual, with no change in benefits. The advantages gained from the Xiao residence did not need to be handed over, essentially earning him two salaries for one job.

Xiang Yuan did not object to this. The Three Divisions' barracks at the County Yamen were unsuitable for cultivation, with too many prying eyes. He had long considered moving out.

And Xiao He himself...

How to put it? If he closed his eyes and didn't think about it, he was actually quite good.

It was true that Xiao He was a goofball, but his upbringing was excellent. Despite his noble background, he lacked the arrogance of a spoiled rich kid. He called Xiang Yuan "Little Yuan Brother" and Old Liu "Constable Ye." As he himself said, everyone walked on two legs in this life, with no distinction between high and low status.

He was jovial and even shameless with the common folk, never acting superior. Towards the haughty County Lieutenant Qin, he displayed the arrogance of a prince's son. He was unconventional and didn't adhere to the rules of class, making him hard to dislike.

Xiang Yuan's dislike for Xiao He mainly stemmed from a psychological imbalance. He was still fixated on the memory of sharing an umbrella with the white snake and felt somewhat indignant.

What happened to the thousand-year-old Snake Demon he promised!

Of course, while Xiao He was good, he just talked too much, like a swarm of flies. If he could just shut his mouth, Xiang Yuan would have called him perfect.

The Xiao residence, with its grand vermilion gates, was located in the valuable eastern district of Fengxian County. Willow Creek Street was neither too close nor too far from East Main Street, featuring stone bridges and long, serene willows, as well as elegant flowing streams. In Xiang Yuan's words, Willow Creek Street was Fengxian County's villa district, a prime piece of real estate.

Besides Xiao He, the master, the Xiao residence only had a few elderly servants. There was no shrewd and capable steward, nor any beautiful maids. It was unclear if King Zhao had intentionally done this to temper his son's character, or if Xiao He himself was not well-liked and had been left to fend for himself in Fengxian County.

King Zhao, Xiao Yan, had ninety-nine sons. Excluding his numerous adopted sons, he had at least twenty biological sons. Xiao He was not a legitimate son, nor did he possess any outstanding qualities. It was likely the latter possibility.

For various reasons, the Xiao residence's entrance was simple, lacking the grandeur and layout expected of a royal family's estate.

Xiang Yuan knocked on the door, and an old man emerged. He looked at Xiang Yuan's constable attire with a bewildered expression before finally reacting and ushering Xiang Yuan into the Xiao residence.

"The young master said that Constable Xiang would come to find him this morning and would be residing in the manor from now on, to maintain peace and quiet in the courtyard..."

The old servant spoke slowly, his age making him a bit confused.

He led Xiang Yuan to a side courtyard, handed him a few keys, explained the situation at the Xiao residence, and then went to the stables in the back to busy himself.

The side courtyard had one main house and two side rooms, with two peach trees planted, and a large water vat in the center. Starting today, this courtyard would be Xiang Yuan's residence.

Xiang Yuan walked through the three rooms with the keys. There was a quiet room for cultivation, a side room for receiving guests, and the master bedroom was tidied up. There were also a few new, custom-made clothes that fit his height and build perfectly.

Opening the cabinet doors and drawers, he found some loose silver.

Xiang Yuan's eyelids twitched. He could understand the loose silver; Xiao He would be out and about, and he would be responsible for paying the bills. Since he was a goofball with a big heart, he had only prepared silver, not a ledger for accounting.

The new clothes were baffling, pre-made as if Xiao He had long planned this and wouldn't rest until it was done.

Could it be that he and County Lieutenant Qin are really putting on a show?

Xiang Yuan still didn't believe it, stubbornly clinging to his opinion and reinforcing Xiao He's image as a goofball in his mind.

Yesterday was just a coincidence. Given Xiao He's status, even without County Lieutenant Qin, if he had requested a young constable to play with, the County Magistrate and Assistant County Magistrate would have gladly obliged.

Xiang Yuan tidied himself up briefly, changed into the new green robe, and hung his saber at his waist.

Just then, the old servant brought breakfast: congee with pickles and some pastries. It was fresh, refreshing, not greasy, appetizing, and healthy.

Xiang Yuan had already eaten breakfast at the yamen, so he didn't refuse and devoured the entire meal.

Firstly, he was at an age where he was still growing. Secondly, cultivating the Formless Seal Method consumed a lot of energy, especially "Candle Yin Casting God," which required substantial external nourishment to strengthen the body.

He was a bottomless pit right now; he could eat anything and everything.

After the meal, Xiang Yuan asked where Xiao He was. Considering the time, it should be about when the academy opened.

The old servant smiled and explained that the young master had studied late into the night and was still asleep, which was normal and something everyone was used to.

Xiang Yuan didn't believe it, only knowing that Xiao He had drunk too much yesterday and was likely suffering from a hangover.

It was good. The work wasn't busy, and he had plenty of free time, which he could use for cultivation.

He drew his saber and practiced the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber in the courtyard. The sixty-four forms, practiced constantly and renewed constantly, integrated with Liu Jingsheng's saber intent. Layers of saber light spilled out, like pear blossoms on a tree, captivating and beautiful at the same time.

After Xiang Yuan began cultivating the Formless Seal Method, the power of the Five Tigers Severing Gate Saber became even greater than before. Furthermore, as his Primordial Spirit grew stronger, he realized that the sixty-four forms were slightly cumbersome, with three to five moves being superfluous.

He understood simplification and had glimpsed the path of the Martial Path. His progress could be described as rapid!

After about an hour, Xiao He came over, yawning. Upon seeing Xiang Yuan, his eyes lit up: "Little Yuan Brother, did you see the umbrella I put in your room?"

"Young Master Xiao, please just call me Xiang Yuan. I don't deserve to be called Little Yuan Brother."

Xiang Yuan was born under the red flag and didn't understand the concept of being a servant. However, he was currently working for someone, acting as Xiao He's bodyguard and playmate, and had received many benefits from him. He felt indebted, and his tone inevitably softened a bit.

He was a grateful person; that was his principle, and he didn't feel wronged in his heart.

"What does it matter? You don't need to call me Young Master; it sounds too distant and isn't fun. Just call me Big Brother."

"Alright, Young Master Xiao."

After a few rounds of back and forth, Xiao He called Xiang Yuan "Little Yuan Brother," and Xiang Yuan called Xiao He "Xiao Forty" or "Brother Forty."

According to the family's ranking, including adopted brothers, Xiao He was the fortieth son of King Zhao, Xiao Yan.

The servant prepared the carriage, and Xiang Yuan, with his saber, accompanied Xiao He to Yulin Academy.

On the way, Xiao He explained his reason for coming to Fengxian County to study. In his words, King Zhao, Xiao Yan, greatly valued him as a son. After being appointed as the Grand Prefect of the Guanshan Dao, he specifically selected a good teacher for him, who was the Fengxian County instructor, Wang Wenxu.

Wang Wenxu met Xiao Yan in Shendu. Unable to stand the atmosphere of officialdom, he refused to take office. In his old age, he bid farewell to Xiao Yan and returned to his hometown, Fengxian County. Xiao Yan praised his scholarly integrity and sent his most promising son, Xiao He, to study under him.

Of course, this was Xiao He's account, so one could only listen and not take it too seriously.

"That old man, cough cough, I mean, my esteemed teacher, truly has some skills. Even I have to fear him a little. Don't provoke him at the academy, or I'll be in trouble." Xiao He sighed, lamenting that Wang Wenxu, having weathered many storms, was difficult to deal with using his usual tricks.

Xiang Yuan listened without speaking, feeling like he had found Xiao He's nemesis. He pondered using Wang Wenxu as a deterrent if Xiao He continued to babble.

Scaring him a little would be good.

The carriage arrived at the academy. Xiao He was an hour late. He told Xiang Yuan to look around to pass the time and then, hunched over, slipped through the back door into the lecture hall, sitting in the last row.

Xiang Yuan peeked in through the window. The old gentleman holding a ruler was Wang Wenxu. He exuded scholarly pride, a man of great learning and cultivation, a truly distinguished elder.

The students were a mix of males and females of varying ages. There were twenty-year-olds like Xiao He, younger ones, and even smaller children, all uniformly dressed in the academy's blue-white attire.

He didn't wander around. He sat cross-legged by the window, listening to Wang Wenxu's lecture.

Old Daoist Quexin had said to read more and apply what one learned. Xiang Yuan wholeheartedly agreed and wouldn't miss this good opportunity to learn.

Below the window was a corridor. In front of the classroom door were rows of shelves displaying the students' personal belongings, such as lunchboxes and umbrellas, all neatly arranged.

Xiang Yuan's sharp eyes were drawn to a long sword.

The scabbard was made of rosewood, deep in color and hard in texture, intricately carved with exquisite patterns, perhaps scrolling lotus or flying phoenixes and auspicious birds, indicating its considerable cost. The hilt was wrapped in fine leather, with a red tassel hanging below. Judging by its design, the owner was likely a woman.

Xiang Yuan looked enviously at the long sword. Though the sword was sheathed, its contained energy commanded respect, far superior to the standard constable's saber he carried.

I'll have one like this in the future!

Xiang Yuan collected his thoughts and quietly listened to the lecture.

Just then, a figure emerged from the back door. It was Xiao He, returning with a look of great joy on his face.

Before Xiang Yuan could say anything, he pulled him out.

"Let's go, back to the county town."

"Huh?"

He's skipping class already?

Xiang Yuan was dumbfounded. He knew Xiao He was academically poor, but this was too direct. Couldn't he at least pretend to study for a bit!

"Something good happened!"

Xiao He beamed, saying joyfully, "Brother Xu asked for sick leave last night because he ran into a ghost and heard he's completely paralyzed. He's my closest friend, my sworn brother. If I only studied and didn't go to see the excitement, what difference would I be from a beast?"

Don't insult beasts!

Xiang Yuan was speechless. What kind of person is this?

He knew ghosts existed but had never seen one. His curiosity piqued, he couldn't help but want to join the fun.