Zhang Nian had just finished doing all this when he heard a voice from outside the mountain gate. His heart gave a jolt, then he was overcome with joy. Just when he'd been worrying about not having anyone to attend to him, help had arrived. He knew all too well what the people from the Jia Ma Empire were really after, but it didn't matter. The mountain gate was protected by a barrier; anyone below the Dou Sheng level couldn't get in. All he had to do was slowly raise his two little disciples. After some time, breaking through to Dou Sheng wouldn't be too difficult.
He lightly tapped his foot and clasped his hands behind his back. But the blue sky and white clouds didn't appear, and neither did his figure move. Zhang Nian suddenly felt awkward. He'd actually forgotten that his experience card had expired...
He turned around and found himself looking directly into Medusa's eyes. She was studying him curiously.
"Heh, heh..." His old face flushed red. He could only ease his embarrassment with a smile, then compose himself and gaze up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, repeatedly reassuring himself: As long as I'm not embarrassed, everyone else is. That's right. That's how it works.
With his hands behind his back, he strolled forward at an unhurried pace and said, "Medusa, accept the servants and gifts on my behalf. As my eldest disciple, you should also let these people from the Jia Ma Empire get to know you."
Zhang Nian paused, then suddenly remembered something and turned back to add, "We don't need that many people. Pick a few who seem clever, and while you're at it, bring back some more maids. Ones who can cook would be best."
After leaving behind two cryptic remarks, Zhang Nian walked farther and farther away. The main reason was that the path down the mountain was too long. As an ordinary person, he couldn't exactly walk all the way down... That would be mortifying. At least Medusa, who was a Dou Wang, could fly, couldn't she?
Pick a few more maids??
Could it be...
As if she'd thought of something, Medusa's cheeks flushed pink. She was sure of her guess: her teacher was alone, and he was a Dou Sheng Expert, after all. It was only natural that he might have such thoughts. In that case, she'd pick a few who looked prettier.
With that, she casually picked up the Rhombus Stone Emblem from the ground. Dou Qi surged behind her, revealing a pair of pale-purple wings. With a flap, she shot into the sky.
One minute later
"Kh—"
Outside the barrier, Hai Bodong and the others remained bent over respectfully, waiting for the saint inside to respond.
The space rippled. The hazy, illusory barrier before them parted like a curtain, revealing an opening just wide enough for one person to pass through. A beautiful young Snake-Person woman slowly emerged. Without a trace of emotion, her gaze passed over the faces of everyone present, one by one. It paused slightly when it reached Ya Fei, who stood at the front. The young woman's face still held a youthful innocence, yet her brows and eyes were filled with boundless charm. Even Medusa couldn't help but marvel at her. Her teacher would surely like her.
She then turned to Hai Bodong, who stood bent low before her, and said, "My teacher is resting. He sent me to accept the gifts and asked me to pass along his thanks to the Miteer Family for their offering. He'll remember it."
In truth, Medusa had added that last sentence herself. She knew of the Miteer Family, which monopolized the auction business in the Jia Ma Empire. Such a small family might be of no use to her teacher, but it could greatly benefit the Snake-People Tribe. That was why she'd let a little self-interest sway her: she'd identified herself as his disciple from the outset and had also conveyed Zhang Nian's goodwill.
In any case, the Miteer Family had no way of knowing Zhang Nian's true intentions. Even if something really happened, they wouldn't dare cause trouble if Zhang Nian didn't want to get involved.
But those words sent shockwaves through Hai Bodong and Miteer Tengshan.
They bent even lower, their voices trembling with excitement. "It's only a small matter. We wouldn't dare ask the saint to trouble himself over it. If the Miteer Family can be of service in the future, we won't hesitate."
Hearing their reply, Medusa's lips curled into a captivating smile. She continued, "My teacher said there aren't many people in the mountains, so we don't need that many. I'll accept the gifts on his behalf. I've had a look, and I'll take this one, this one, and that one..."
As her slender finger picked them out, Medusa selected fifteen people in all. Ya Fei was among them. At twenty-eight, Ya Fei was terribly uneasy. Given her talent, in a few more years she could have been assigned to manage one of the family's businesses. With good results, she would have gained access to the family's inner circle of power. But Zhang Nian's appearance had shattered every expectation she'd had for her future. The reason was that Miteer Tengshan thought her face was charming and that she ought to please the saint...
Her face turned ashen. Unlike the other servants, she felt no excitement at all. To them, the chance to serve a Dou Sheng was a tremendous opportunity. As the saying went, the one closest to the water got the moon first. If they pleased him, even a casually bestowed treasure could be an opportunity of a lifetime. But Ya Fei wasn't willing to accept this fate.
"Ya Fei, once you enter these mountain gates, you must do your best to please the saint. It'll greatly benefit both the Miteer Family and you," Miteer Tengshan said softly, leaning closer. He'd watched the graceful young woman grow up and understood what she was thinking. But when the future of the entire family was at stake, sacrificing one person's interests was a choice he, as clan head, had to make.
Besides, the clan intended to arrange a marriage between Ya Fei and Mu Zhan of the Mu Clan. In Miteer Tengshan's eyes, if he had to choose between the Mu Clan and Zhang Nian, he'd certainly choose the latter. Being selected today was a good opportunity, whether she became a servant or something else.
"Clan Head, Ya Fei understands." Ya Fei had been called charming from a young age, but she'd always worked hard. She'd made no progress in cultivation, but when it came to business, she was leagues ahead of her peers. It was just a pity she'd been born a woman. She sighed at the cruel twists of fate, yet she knew that serving a saint in the mountains was an unparalleled opportunity...
Seeing this, Miteer Tengshan didn't dare delay. He took out a Storage Ring and handed it to Medusa, his face ingratiating, like a dog wagging its tail at its master. He spoke obsequiously: "This is the gift from the Miteer Family. They're just a few insignificant things, and I hope you'll pass them along."
After speaking, another flash of light came from the Storage Ring in Miteer Tengshan's hand. A delicate jade box appeared silently in his palm. He said softly, "It's just a small token of our regard. I hope you'll put in a good word for the Miteer Family before the saint."
Hah. A trick merchants always use.
Medusa sneered inwardly and glanced at the jade box before her, but made no move to take it.
The atmosphere grew awkward. Miteer Tengshan held the jade box out in both hands, unsure whether to step forward or pull back.
Medusa had never thought much of the people from the Jia Ma Empire. Proud as she was, how could she care for such petty gains? After a long pause, she finally snorted.
"No need. Just tell your servants to do their own jobs properly."
Before you continue