Rebirth

"Heh! Interesting!"

Steward Li looked Li Yunjing up and down.

The kid was quite handsome, with sword-like brows, star-bright eyes, a broad mouth, a straight nose, fair skin, a tall frame, and firm muscles—a truly fine appearance.

I just don't know if he's all show and no substance!

This thought flashed and vanished. Steward Li stepped off the carriage and ordered Li Yunjing to get down quickly.

Li Yunjing lifted the carriage curtain and leaped down.

His feet hit the earth, feeling incredibly solid.

At this moment, the weakness of the previous night was gone; Li Yunjing possessed the sharp, imposing aura of a martial artist.

"Not bad! You have some external martial arts training! You've even cultivated a sense of Qi and found the path to immortality!"

Steward Li looked him over again and nodded slightly.

Steward Li had a sharp eye; with one glance, he had already figured out seven or eight parts of Li Yunjing's background.

"Clap, clap, clap!" The sound rang out.

"Stop the carriages! Everyone, rest here for a while!"

Steward Li clapped his hands and shouted lightly, his voice rolling out.

"Whoa..."

Hearing Steward Li's command, the coachman immediately pulled on the reins, bringing the horses to a halt.

The ten knights guarding the side pulled their reins, and their steeds stood still.

"There is a meadow over there; go and set up camp."

Steward Li pointed to the grass on the right side of the dirt road and gave the order.

"Yes!"

The group responded in unison, and the caravan followed Steward Li's instructions, stopping on a flat patch of grass by the side of the road ahead.

Some of the knights went to the third carriage to move supplies; some went to the distant woods to gather dry firewood; others carried wooden buckets to search for a water source...

The movements of these knights were skilled and swift; clearly, they had rich experience in wilderness survival.

"You, go help!"

Steward Li pointed at Li Yunjing and ordered.

There was not a hint of politeness in his tone.

He had saved this kid's life and even wasted a precious spirit pill.

It looked like the kid couldn't pay him back, so he might as well put Li Yunjing to work.

That way, Steward Li would feel a little better.

"Alright! I'll go right now!"

Li Yunjing replied happily, showing no strange expression.

Someone had saved his life, so what was wrong with doing a little work?

Wasn't that expected?

Besides, he would have to share a meal with the Yu Family later; by lending a hand and doing some work, he could eat a little more.

Otherwise, Li Yunjing would feel a bit embarrassed.

"Heh! This kid!"

Steward Li stood with his hands behind his back, watching Li Yunjing run to the campsite to help set up the pots and cook, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

Some people moved tables and stools; some cleaned ingredients; others prepared cooking utensils...

The group had a clear division of labor and finished all the preparations quickly.

Before long, some knights returned carrying several cleaned rabbits and grouse.

There were no slackers here, so they prepared these things with great speed.

Li Yunjing also followed orders, blending in and helping out on the side.

Soon, all the ingredients were ready.

"Jingle! Jingle! Jingle!"

A fragrant breeze wafted over, and the crisp sound of bells rang out.

Li Yunjing looked over and saw a girl of about sixteen skipping toward them.

The girl wore a white dress, had her hair in a pair of small braids, and her delicate face still held a touch of childishness.

The golden bells that went "jingle-ling" were hanging from the girl's belt.

"Alright! Leave things here to me!"

The girl smiled, stretched out her fair, clean hand, and grabbed the kitchen knife.

"Clang, clang, clang." She began chopping the cleaned rabbit and grouse right on the table.

The young girl's movements were extremely practiced. Soon, she placed the ingredients and seasonings into a pot and began to stir-fry them.

"Brother, who is that?"

Before long, a savory aroma wafted out. Li Yunjing sidled up to a knight and asked with practiced familiarity.

The knight frowned slightly, swept a glance at Li Yunjing, and replied in a muffled, grumpy tone, "That is the Eldest Miss's maid, Ling'er."

"Oh! This little girl seems to have practiced cultivation?"

Li Yunjing continued to ask.

The knight couldn't help but roll his eyes at Li Yunjing and turned to walk away.

This brat was really shameless, trying to fish for information from him?

As if he would tell him that!

The knights of the Yu Family were all about discipline!

"Tsk, tsk!"

Li Yunjing chuckled, showing no embarrassment at being rebuffed.

He looked down at a relatively flat rock nearby, bent his legs, and plopped down onto it.

There was nothing for him to do at the moment, and Li Yunjing certainly wasn't going to pretend to be busy.

He was a practical man, after all!

Strange! After being struck by lightning and sleeping for a night, why does my body feel even better than before?

With a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, Li Yunjing gazed into the distance.

But his thoughts had long since drifted off to who knows where.

Could it be because of that Heart-Protecting Pill from Steward Li?

Thoughts kept surfacing one after another in Li Yunjing's mind.

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. Li Yunjing was not a person who liked to owe others favors.

Such kindness had to be repaid.

However, he had nothing right now; even the clothes on his back belonged to the Yu Family.

What could he use to repay it?

"This feeling of owing someone a favor is truly uncomfortable!"

Li Yunjing muttered to himself.

At this moment, he was still unaware that a bead as small as a speck of dust had appeared within his mind.

This bead emitted a deep blue glow, with fine rays of light flickering incessantly.

These rays radiated from Li Yunjing's sea of consciousness, spreading continuously throughout every part of his body.

The true reason he felt more energetic and physically stronger than before was because of this tiny bead, not that "Heart-Protecting Pill."

"Brat, what are you doing?"

Just then, light footsteps approached.

Li Yunjing was very familiar with the voice; it was none other than Steward Li.

"Ah? Steward Li!"

Li Yunjing hurriedly stood up. At this moment, the curling smoke was suffused with an alluring aroma.

"Is this stewed grouse?"

Li Yunjing's straight nose twitched slightly, and the fragrance became even more intoxicating.

He swallowed hard, and his stomach let out a "gurgle." Only then did he realize he was quite hungry.

After being struck by lightning last night, his pack had long since turned to ash; his travel money and rations were all gone.

Having not eaten for a day and a night, how could he resist such a scent?

"Brat, you'll have to wait a while longer to eat!"

Steward Li looked at Li Yunjing with a half-smile and added, "Come with me to thank the Eldest Miss for saving your life!"

"Yes!"

Hearing this, Li Yunjing's expression turned serious.

He was finally going to meet the person in charge!

"Hmm."

Steward Li let out a nasal sound and turned to pace slowly ahead.

Li Yunjing followed obediently behind, just like a little lackey.

Now that his condition had recovered, Li Yunjing's martial intuition had returned.