"Greetings, Young Master Fang!" The three hurriedly bowed to him.
"Isn't this a little excessive?" Fang Qianyuan asked in surprise.
Seeing Jin Lu make such arrangements, he could not quite understand what the man was trying to do.
Jin Lu smiled. "You call this excessive? Once your standing rises, there'll be even more extravagant arrangements!"
"The outstanding young talent the sect puts forward absolutely cannot be some fool who knows nothing but killing and mindless brawling. He must be someone comparable to an aristocratic clan's legitimate son, raised in comfort and luxury, noble and dignified-a scion of immense worth, capable of commanding respect and wielding authority."
"Your body and mind, your bearing, and your cultivation and strength must all suit that identity. How could raw strength alone be enough?"
Jin Lu then explained to Fang Qianyuan that, from this day onward, the maid Ning'er belonged to him.
Ning'er was fourteen years old and a bondservant whose livelihood depended on Fang Qianyuan, her young master. Even her deed of sale was handed over to him.
The two guards, however, were sect servants attached to the Warrior Hall.
They came from those Outer Court disciples who had failed to become Spirit Tamers but had cultivated spirit essence, possessed spirit seas, and could undergo warrior modification. Most were orphans or displaced refugees.
Their names were not entered into the sect's disciple register. Instead, they served as laborers or menials. Though their standing was rather low, they could establish households of their own. If their children later entered the sect and had talent, they could likewise rise above the crowd.
They were assigned to serve Fang Qianyuan and received corresponding stipends, but these were paid centrally by the sect's Administrative Affairs Institute. Fang Qianyuan did not have to cover them.
Fang Qianyuan's expression shifted