A Dao Register Obtained, the Young Lady's Favor Won, Status Elevated, Entering the Stables on Merit!

An advance?

Horsemanship?

That was it.

Ji Xiu's heart tightened, and understanding dawned on him.

Just moments ago, the fierce horse beneath him had been incomparably violent, charging wildly in all directions. He had nearly gone cold with fear, believing he might leave his life here.

Then, for no apparent reason, a mysterious force had poured into his body.

In an instant, it made him seem like a seasoned horse trainer of many years.

Whether feeding, riding, or taming a horse, everything came as naturally as moving his own arm and fingers, as though he were an old master who had studied the way of horsemanship for years!

Horsemanship: Beginner

Next: Tame one thousand horses to achieve mastery.

Once Master Horsemanship has been fully mastered, the Ordination Master may initiate the next advance.

Glancing at the line of gilded words traced in spiritual light upon the Dao Register, seemingly visible to him alone, Ji Xiu finally understood the reason.

"I never expected that this nameless Dao Register, which I had worn year-round in my previous life and which was said to belong to a Dao Vein Successor, would instead become my chance to turn my life around in this one."

Looking at Thousand Mile Snow beneath him, now incomparably docile—lying quietly and snorting even as he slapped it with his broad palm or stroked its mane smooth—

It was utterly unlike the violent beast from moments ago, which had charged about at the slightest provocation.

Ji Xiu finally understood just how terrifying the Dao Register in his possession truly was.

"It can actually reverse cause and effect—letting me master a skill first, then cultivate it afterward?"

"They always say that getting started is difficult. Faced with scriptures and classical manuals, people usually linger before the threshold for years, yet never manage to enter."

"Now, I can completely reverse that process."

"Horsemanship was like this."

"Then what about martial arts?"

Recalling how Qin Biao had used a whip to intimidate the servants, shattering a stone stele with a single lash, Ji Xiu's heart began pounding.

Even a guard serving a powerful family in a county could be this formidable.

Then—

What about those martial men who truly Found a Sect, or held posts at the county yamen...?

Crack!

A sharp sound rang out!

At the instant Ji Xiu became slightly distracted, his thoughts drifting elsewhere—

Qin Biao strode over in a gust of wind, stomped his foot down hard, and lashed the ground with his whip. Panting heavily, he barked:

"Get down already!"

"This horse is precious! Master Lin bought it for a hundred taels of silver as a gift for Second Miss Lin. It usually eats refined rice and flour, eggs and beans. Is it something a servant like you has any right to ride?"

As he spoke, he repeatedly signaled at Ji Xiu with his eyes.

Coming back to himself, Ji Xiu saw Second Miss Lin being supported from behind by two maidservants as she slowly approached. His heart jolted, and he immediately understood.

He had been too pleased with himself just now.

He had not even stopped to see what sort of place this was.

Within the grand gates and deep courtyards of the Lin Residence—

He was the lowliest of slaves!

Grooms, butchers, herb farmers, accountants, guards—

Every one of them ranked above him!

Not to mention that the person before him was an honored figure from the inner courtyard.

As Master Lin's legitimate daughter—

If this Second Miss had a spoiled and unreasonable temperament, even if she ordered him to take thirty lashes, he could only accept them and thank her for the favor.

That was why, after hearing Ji Wei's words, Ji Xiu had rebuked her and asked whether she was prepared to be a servant.

Once one entered this gate, one's fate was no longer one's own!

"Please forgive me, Miss!"

Ji Xiu flipped down from the horse in one fluid motion, then quickly turned and lowered his head.

At a time like this, excuses about acting according to circumstances, being forced by urgency, or having no other choice were all empty words.

If he encountered someone good-tempered, perhaps a smile would make the matter pass.

But if he encountered someone foul-tempered—

They would only think a servant like him was shirking responsibility, slippery and incorrigible.

After all, could the fault possibly lie with the master?

If you were not wrong, could it be that my beloved horse was wrong instead?

Only by taking the blame upon himself could he show true sincerity.

"Raise your head."

Lin Ruyue spoke softly.

She waved to the two maidservants at her side.

Then she walked to Ji Xiu's side. Curious yet somewhat afraid of the fierce Thousand Mile Snow before her, she wanted to stroke it but stopped herself.

Seeing this, Ji Xiu timely reminded her:

"Miss, the horse has calmed down now. It will not cause any harm."

After he spoke, Lin Ruyue hesitated before reaching out.

Just as Ji Xiu had said, the horse had truly returned to its gentle temperament. It even took the initiative to nuzzle the girl in the cloud-patterned dress.

It was as though that burst of excitement had already passed, and it had returned to its original harmless, thoroughly tamed state.

"Eh?"

Her eyes widened.

"I never expected there to be someone as skilled as you among the servants who recently entered the residence."

Thinking back to what had just happened, Lin Ruyue felt lingering fear.

If Ji Xiu had not leaped onto the horse and subdued it, she might have been struck as well. By that account, she owed this young man a favor.

Then she recalled the sight of shattered gold scattering across Ji Xiu's profile earlier. For a time, her impression of him improved considerably.

"When my father led Thousand Mile Snow to me, he said it had already been tamed and had a gentle temperament. And over these past days, it has never been this violent."

She muttered to herself, brows furrowed as though she could not make sense of it no matter how hard she thought.

Ji Xiu, however—

Looked at the horse's belly, his eyelids twitching slightly as though something had occurred to him, but he said nothing.

With horsemanship at the beginner level, Ji Xiu could now tell why the horse had suddenly become excited and violent.

There was still undigested food in its stomach, which remained swollen.

Judging by the scent, it was likely something akin to a Saffron Pill, a drug capable of driving it into excitement and frenzy.

It had likely taken effect at precisely that moment, which was why the horse had broken free of the girl in the cloud-patterned dress and reared up.

Luckily, she had not been riding it. Otherwise, her life might well have been in danger.

Grand households had no shortage of disputes.

But that had nothing to do with Ji Xiu.

Since Second Miss Lin Ruyue did not vent her anger on him or pursue the matter, that was naturally for the best.

He only needed to lie low with care. Once he had fully paid the price for advancing horsemanship, he could begin planning for martial arts.

Ji Xiu calculated inwardly, though his brows soon furrowed.

Tame one thousand horses.

It sounded simple enough.

But even the most inferior mule or horse cost several taels of silver. His own miserable life was worth only three taels—not even as valuable as a mule. If they truly compared worth, it was uncertain who would be taming whom.

Where could he possibly find horses to raise and train?

The Lin Residence's stables were not somewhere ordinary servants could enter. The refined rice, flour, beans, and eggs there were all precious goods.

Moreover, the staff assigned there were even fewer than in the kitchen. So many servants with years of seniority had fought tooth and nail to squeeze in and skim a little profit, yet an old man still sat firm as a fisherman on his platform.

Ji Xiu was unfamiliar with the place and knew no one. How could such an opportunity ever fall to him?

"Right."

"You're so proficient at taming horses. Being a tenant farmer or a servant is rather beneath your talents."

"You must be a newcomer who has only just entered the residence, correct?"

After searching everywhere in worn-out iron shoes, he had found it without effort!

Hearing that he might have a chance to go to the stables, Ji Xiu was delighted inwardly, though he showed none of it. He merely bowed slightly.

"This lowly one is Ji Xiu."

The girl in the cloud-patterned dress nodded. Pointing at Ji Xiu, she turned to Qin Biao and said:

"Yes, transfer Ji Xiu to the stables to serve as a groom. Have him specifically look after Thousand Mile Snow for me."

"If anyone asks, say that it was my order. And give him some silver as a reward as well. Look at how thin he is—those who do not know better might think my Lin Residence mistreats its servants."

She did not bother concealing those words.

The servants who had entered the Lin Residence in the same batch as Ji Xiu all looked at him with envy. At the same time, as they watched Lin Ruyue's departing figure, their throats felt choked, and they did not know what to say.

Mistreat servants or not—

Even if they did, who would dare say so?

Who could be as lucky as this fellow?

Sure enough, different people had different fortunes.

"You brat, you've got some luck. Second Miss took a liking to you and promoted you to the stables as a groom!"

"Tsk, tsk. That's an excellent assignment."

Watching Lin Ruyue walk away, Qin Biao dropped his submissive expression and came to Ji Xiu's side, a sharp gleam flickering in his eyes.

"Those smooth movements just now were like Waist-Horse Unity. If I hadn't seen how sallow and skinny you are—"

"I would have nearly thought some official from the county yamen had come to our residence!"

He patted Ji Xiu on the shoulder, drawing a wry smile from him.

"You flatter me, Master Qin. A blind cat happened upon a dead mouse; it does not count for anything."

"I trained cattle and sheep for the old master for two years in my early days. I could only take a gamble, otherwise—"

Ji Xiu shook his head and put on a lingeringly frightened expression. Qin Biao burst into laughter, clearly pleased by the respectful address of "Master."

Even the Baleful Intent on his face faded by several degrees.

"Opportunities are fought for. Look, didn't you get your reward?"

As he spoke—

Qin Biao flicked his whip and shouted at the cringing servants who had been secretly listening:

"Go, go, go! What are you all standing around here for? Do you not need to do the work you were just assigned?"

"Keep lingering here, and be careful you don't get a taste of my whip!"

After saying that, he turned back to Ji Xiu with a much friendlier expression.

If Ji Xiu had not been there just now, and the young lady had been frightened, then despite how imposing he looked before these servants, receiving a whipping from the masters would have been the lightest punishment.

One thing led to another, and Ji Xiu had helped him avoid a calamity.

He was not a martial man who had entered the path, with all manner of special privileges.

Thinking this, Qin Biao found the lad much more pleasing to the eye.

"Come on, come on. This old brother will take you to the stables."

"As for calling me 'Master,' don't toss that around carelessly. If it reaches Master Lin's ears, I couldn't bear the honor."