A Desperate Gamble, Cunning Amid Recklessness

"Steward Luo, he ran this way."

"What are you standing around for? Go after him! This is outrageous! I, Luo Fang, have never seen such a brazen servant!"

"But..."

"You little bastard, you worthless piece of trash! Are you trying to cover for him?"

Outside the Estate Guard Compound, a burst of commotion arose.

Pang Long stared at the water clock before him. In another half quarter-hour, the time would be up. Hearing the uproar, he raised a brow slightly.

"Who is making such a racket here? Fang, go take a look."

"Yes!"

The estate guard to Pang Long's right clasped his hands in salute, respectfully backed away several paces, then turned and strode out of the compound.

Seeing the servants heading this way, he immediately frowned. "The estate guard selection is being held here. Why have you come?"

Luo Fang shot the head of the Ninth Squad a glare. The man was certain that Li Xian was inside this compound.

Why had that little beast become so bold? He had actually dared not return all night?

Luo Fang had already guessed the reason.

Most likely, Li Xian had somehow learned about the estate guard selection and dreamed of becoming an estate guard, escaping Luo Fang's control from then on.

How daring!

Dream on!

"You little bastard, daring to toy with me, Luo Fang. Let's see how I deal with you!"

Luo Fang muttered inwardly.

But when he looked at the estate guard Fang Tianyu, his smile became genial.

"Young Brother Fang, here's the situation. One of the servants in our squad broke the rules and committed an offense. To avoid punishment, he wants to hide behind the estate guard selection."

"What do you mean?" Fang Tianyu frowned.

As if I've never been an estate guard before. What are you putting on airs for, you brat?

Yet mindful of Pang Long inside the compound, Luo Fang respectfully continued, "I, Luo Fang, naturally would not dare offend Lord Pang. But duty compels me, so I have no choice but to come and ask for clarification."

"I hope Young Brother Fang can help seek Lord Pang's instructions and let him decide how this matter should be handled."

Fang Tianyu heard this and found it reasonable enough. He immediately returned to the compound and whispered the matter into Pang Long's ear.

Pang Long's gaze fell on Li Xian. Li Xian stood tall and met his gaze head-on, his eyes free of guilt.

After a moment, Pang Long said blandly, "Go tell Luo Fang. I do not concern myself with matters of the Servant Quarters. I only know that the estate guard selection is currently underway. All unrelated persons are to leave at once."

"Yes!"

Fang Tianyu relayed his words exactly. Luo Fang smiled and said, "Lord Pang is right. Quite right."

He left the area with his back bent. Only after returning to the Servant Quarters did he fly into a rage, ordering the hundred-odd servants of the Ninth Squad to line up.

He swung his whip and lashed them.

"Does it hurt?"

"If you want someone to blame, blame the ungrateful wretch your squad produced."

After whipping them until their flesh split open, he had them splashed with hot water first, then doused with cold water, wantonly tormenting those servants.

"Li Xian... let's see what waves you can possibly stir up!"

"Hehe, when the time comes, won't you still end up back in my hands?"

After venting his vicious fury, Luo Fang tossed aside his whip and flexed his aching wrist.

Enduring their injuries, the servants of the Ninth Squad were sent off to do the filthiest, most exhausting work.

At the mere mention of Li Xian's name, every one of them erupted with intense hatred, wishing they could drink his blood and eat his flesh alive.

The whole matter was truly strange.

The one beating and cursing them was clearly Luo Fang. Li Xian had merely resisted.

Yet all their hatred was directed solely at Li Xian. At the mention of Luo Fang, their hatred vanished, replaced by awe and fear.

There was no sense to it at all.

"The time is up."

Pang Long rose from his chair and said, "The estate guard selection begins today."

"There is only one position available in this selection.

"The rules are simple. There is a ring in the compound, and only one rule: after one incense stick's time, whoever remains standing on the ring will become the new estate guard!"

As soon as his words fell, a servant leaped onto the ring first.

He claimed the spot and warily scanned his surroundings.

Before long, another servant climbed onto the ring. Both were servants, neither particularly strong nor sturdy. Naturally, their fight had no spectacle to it.

But the sheer viciousness of it...

Was truly horrifying.

The first match ended when one servant bit off the other's ear.

The defeated servant rolled off the ring, while the victor's mouth was smeared with blood.

Pang Long nodded to himself. "For servants to turn their lives around, what they rely on... is that ruthless streak."

The estate guards watched with great interest as well.

After several matches, the casualties were unexpectedly severe.

Li Xian glanced at Pang Long and mulled over the rules of the contest.

"One incense stick's time... Whoever can remain standing at the end wins."

"That means there is no limit to the number of times one can challenge the ring. In the end, my only opponent is Bi Hao."

"I might as well get on the ring early, pretend I know no martial arts, and deliberately mislead Bi Hao into underestimating me.

"Then I can pretend to lose and let someone kick me off the ring. I'll lie low until the incense is nearly burned out, then get back on the ring... and fight for that one slim chance!"

Having thought it through,

a match happened to end. Li Xian immediately stepped onto the ring and grappled with a servant thinner than himself.

There was not the slightest technique to it. It was like a street brawl, with teeth and claws used without restraint. Striking the groin, clawing at the eyes... nothing was held back.

Bi Hao stood below the ring with his arms crossed, completely confident and contemptuous. "How are people like these worthy of competing with me?"

"But Uncle Luo was right. These mad dogs have seen their only chance to turn things around, and they really are fighting like they don't care whether they live or die."

"What a pity they have no brains."

Bi Hao found it amusing.

Pang Long, however, frowned in some disappointment. "Could this Li Xian boy... really be capable of only this much?"

Thud!

Li Xian shoved hard with both hands, sending his opponent flying. Panting, he got to his feet and roared, "Who else?"

"I'll do it!"

Another servant rushed onto the ring and lunged at Li Xian.

Though Li Xian was deliberately hiding his abilities, it was not easy for him. Everyone here was a trapped beast, and the power people could unleash in such circumstances was terrifying!

Scratch...

That servant's nails were extremely long, and they raked across Li Xian's arm. Li Xian cursed, "Get lost!"

He twisted aside and kicked hard, sending the servant off the ring.

Not long after,

another servant immediately pounced on him and knocked Li Xian to the ground. This servant had actually learned wrestling and tried to lock him in a rear naked choke.

A fierce glint flashed in Li Xian's eyes. He reached for the man's eyeballs. The servant cried out in pain, his strength faltering for a moment, and Li Xian seized the chance to counterattack.

Using every ounce of his strength, Li Xian won again.

The estate guard Fang Tianyu said,

"This kid has nothing but brute strength, but without Bi Hao, he might have been selected as an estate guard. Lord Pang, Bi Hao has a foundation in martial arts. Isn't this too unfair?"

"Rules are rules. I do not speak of fairness with servants," Pang Long said indifferently.

As they spoke,

Li Xian won another match. But for the next one, Bi Hao stepped onto the ring.

Bi Hao said arrogantly, "Ungrateful wretch, let me show you my strength. Go back to the Servant Quarters and stay there obediently!"

Without another word, he kicked at Li Xian. Though Li Xian could have avoided it, he deliberately pretended he could not and rolled off the ring with the force of the blow.

"That was a vicious strike."

Fang Tianyu said in surprise.

Bi Hao had used hidden force in that kick, targeting the internal organs. Someone frail might be kicked to death by it.

Li Xian was indeed in excruciating pain. But with his inner force protecting him, he would not lose his ability to move.

He lay prone on the ground and did not rise, pretending to be in agony. Yet his gaze was exceptionally calm as he secretly glanced toward the burning incense in the distance.

He had put on enough of a show!

As he recovered his strength, he waited for the final moment.

Bi Hao had martial arts training and was far stronger than ordinary servants. From the moment he stepped onto the ring, the situation had become entirely one-sided.

Even so, several ruthless men who did not fear death still managed to leave wounds on him.

The incense burned down bit by bit.

Bi Hao stood firm and looked at the sprawled servants below the ring, then threw back his head and laughed. "Hahaha! You pack of dogs, what makes you think you can compete with me? What makes you think you can compete with me?!"

Pang Long glanced at the incense and felt that there would be no more surprises.

"The incense is nearly burned out. Anyone who still wishes to try, seize this final opportunity," Pang Long reminded them.

This estate guard selection... had been ordinary enough. In the end, it had failed to surprise him.

At that moment, Li Xian slowly climbed to his feet. Without saying a word, he walked toward the ring again.

"A defeated loser! You still dare step onto the ring?" For some reason, Bi Hao flew into a rage upon seeing Li Xian return.

Li Xian gently rubbed his abdomen and climbed onto the ring. He looked as though he might faint at any moment, but deep within his eyes, a sharp gleam was already gathering.