Beast-Blood Body Bathing, Rising to Grade B

The Winter Hunt ended, and the once bustling Bear-Tiger Mountain was deserted.

The wild animals scattered all over the ground were naturally carried away by the Miscellaneous Servant in the Servant Quarters.

Luo Fang brandished his whip, striking the air with a loud bang. The Miscellaneous Servant quickened their pace, not daring to slacken for a second, lest the whip fall on their bodies.

The uncle and nephew, on the other hand, were quite at ease, walking side by side without any heavy loads, discussing what had just happened in hushed tones.

"You good-for-nothing! Look at Li Xian, and then look at yourself. Just looking at you makes me angry."

"Maternal Uncle, I've figured it out. Old Master Li is someone we can't beat. The reason we lost to him back then wasn't because I was useless, but because he was too fierce."

"You piece of trash, how dare you bring this up? If it weren't for you, would he be where he is today?"

"Maternal Uncle, if I had been replaced by a younger you back then, you might not have won either."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Who is your Maternal Uncle? How could he possibly lose to that brat?"

"Uncle Li will soon be Grade-B House Guard. I Maternal Uncle you, Maternal Uncle, were only Grade-C House Guard at best. Besides, your best catch during the Winter Hunt was just a sika deer. How can you compare to that freak?"

"Besides, he was born to be treated like a king. We should kneel down and kowtow to curry favor with him. Someone like him wouldn't bother with insignificant ants like us."

Luo Fang, however, had lost his former spirit, and his eyes were filled with sorrow.

He had long been secretly apprehensive. If he could set aside past grievances, he would be more than willing to kneel down, kowtow, and offer his treasures while feigning misery.

But unfortunately...

There was that scene with Li Xiaofan.

It will be difficult to forgive and forget again. For now, perhaps we can still live a relatively peaceful life.

Once Li Xian has gained a foothold and has some free time, he'll have enough to drink several jugs of wine.

"Damn it, who knew this kid would improve so quickly?"

On the other side.

Inside the Dining Hall, Pang Long and Li Xian sat at the same table. Because the promotion was not yet fully finalized, the Dining Hall was only serving Grade-C Meal.

There were plenty of meat and animal dishes, all glossy and fragrant, looking very appetizing.

"You've really opened my eyes, kid."

Pang Long thought his grades were good, but compared to Li Xian, they were insignificant.

"Just lucky," Li Xian said with a smile.

"Don't be modest. This achievement is a testament to your skill," Pang Long said heartily. "I never imagined that in the blink of an eye, you would be Grade-B House Guard. You've certainly been a great help to me."

"Around tomorrow, during Morning Training, you will be Grade-B House Guard."

"You can find out the details of those benefits and patrol regulations yourself; I won't go into further detail."

Pang Long asked for a bowl of egg drop soup. He soaked the rice and dishes in the soup, slurped them down, and most of the rice and dishes were gone.

"Will it taste better this way?" Li Xian asked the question that had puzzled her for a long time.

"It will be faster." Pang Long drank it down in one gulp, put down his chopsticks, and left.

I've heard that he's made further progress recently... getting closer and closer to a state of Bone Recasting.

There's plenty of game meat in Bear-Tiger Mountain, but the taste is mediocre. The chef at the Dining Hall, however, has truly excellent skills.

The food I cooked suited his taste perfectly, with just the right amount of salt.

Li Xian focused on eating, while the Guard passing by whispered amongst themselves. Li Xian was now the most prominent figure in the manor.

Zhao Han and the other two saw his back from afar and didn't even dare to greet him.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, and with his business done for the day, Li Xian, enjoying a rare moment of leisure, strolled around the outer courtyard.

Thinking of the battles with wild beasts and the struggles to survive, I couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Now that I've successfully become Grade-B House Guard, that's naturally excellent."

"However, my Martial Dao cultivation has not kept up, and I am definitely at the bottom among the Grade-B House Guard."

"You'd better get promoted quickly."

In any place, one's own strength is always of paramount importance. Without strength, he would find it difficult to hold onto this position of Grade-B House Guard.

Throughout the One Accord Manor, there were a total of fifteen Grade-B House Guard.

We strolled to a scenic spot.

Li Xian sat on the ground, supporting herself with her hands, letting the cool breeze blow through her long hair, which made her nose itch a little.

Looking into the lake, one sees his reflection: a handsome face, arched eyebrows, and star-like eyes; his hair has grown long, yet it doesn't appear messy, but rather exudes a somewhat unconventional and carefree air.

"That lady certainly enjoys Winter Hunt."

"It's already difficult enough to see her even once a week, let alone hear her say so much."

Li Xian thought to himself leisurely.

In fact, the Guard could only see the lady on the day of the Winter Hunt settlement.

At other times, even the Grade-A House Guard rarely heard the lady's voice.

The next day.

After Morning Training, Pang Long walked over with a smile and announced that Li Xian Leap Ascension from [Grade-C House Guard] to [Grade-B House Guard].

It attracted countless envious glances, and few people were Qi Ingestion, after all, yesterday's performance was truly impeccable.

"Don't be envious, and don't have any other thoughts."

"There's Winter Hunt every year, and Li Xian is probably the only one who can achieve such results."

"No wonder you look at me with such respect, Madam."

Pang Long stood with his hands behind his back, using Li Xian as a role model to inspire the Guard' passion.

After the group dispersed, many Grade-B- and Grade-C House Guard immediately surrounded him, asking for advice on archery techniques. As for the Grade-A House Guard, who considered themselves of a higher status, although they also wanted to learn archery skills, they were too ashamed to ask for his guidance.

This idea is truly laughable.

Li Xian did not directly refuse those who came to learn from him, but instead shot two arrows and taught them some of his skills.

As for how much they can comprehend, that depends on each person's comprehension.

The tokens of Grade-B House Guard are orange-red.

Patrols are limited to two hours a day, with approximately one night patrol per week. However, without an application or special reason, no one may leave the village without authorization.

Ultimately...

The Grade-Four House Guard. Even the highest-ranking Guard were still just Guard, servants who had sold themselves into servitude.

If this point is not clarified, it may displease the lady, and a single frown from her could bring us back to square one.

"Li Xian, right?"

"One wild rabbit, ten coins; three wild deer, two taels and one ounce; four Tiger Beasts, four taels and eight ounces; three bears, four taels and five ounces."

"A total of eleven taels and four hundred and ten cash."

"In addition, there is one Deer Blood Pill, one Tiger Blood Pill, and one Bear Gallbladder Pill."

"Entry and exit to the Idle Martial Pavilion is permitted once."

The Accounts Office stopped what he was doing and carefully examined Li Xian. "I remember you seem to be..."

"Born Miscellaneous Servant? Sold into the Miscellaneous Servant a month or two ago for over five hundred coins?"

His tone was hesitant and uncertain; I wondered if he had misremembered.

"That's me." Li Xian nodded readily.

"Excellent, truly excellent!" the Accounts Office clapped his hands in praise. "In all my years in this Manor, I've never seen anyone like you before."

Li Xian humbly replied, "It's just good luck, and I'm fortunate to have received Commander Pang."

The Accounts Office said, "Eleven taels of silver and the corresponding Medicinal Pills are all in this brocade pouch. Take it."

"Thank Uncle Xiang." Li Xian cupped his hands and readily accepted the gift. The Accounts Office's surname was Xiang, and everyone called him Uncle Xiang. His real name was long forgotten.

But I heard that Uncle Xiang was one of the earliest servants to follow his wife, even before Pang Long and Qiuyue.

Thinking about it, it makes sense. Managing the accounts is equivalent to holding Zhuangzi's lifeline in one's hands. Naturally, it should be entrusted to the most trusted person.

"Yes..." Uncle Xiang continued, head down, adjusting the accounts, but his mouth kept moving. "Madam mentioned it to me."

"You have successfully hunted the Ghost-Patterned Biao and the Sharp-Beaked Long-Tongued Mother Bear, which is a meritorious deed. In addition to these rewards, there will be an extra bonus."

"Oh? What is the reward?" Li Xian himself hadn't heard a word about it.

Uncle Xiang was eager to elaborate, "What do you think the lady's Winter Hunt was for? It was to collect the blood of a hundred beasts for Medicinal Bath."

"The excess portion will be distributed downwards as a reward."