2022-03-04 15:52:00"It wasn't as if we didn't know our impending situation. So we can't really do much about it." A guy muttered playing with his over grown bush of a hair. "Well actually we did, we could've done much better but who cares. What would our desire of escaping be when we didn't even know where to start." He let out a sound and faced Zhi Ruo. "I'm Lao Xiao, Master." He bowed to her.
"Don't be like that." Han Meng chided on Lao Xiao. "Well, that about it. If master is hoping to know secrets of that place, we can't offer any." Han Meng said solemnly. "We were born and raised inside that nauseating place, though we we're given important jobs of relaying information one sidedly. We weren't told anything."
Zhi Ruo quirked up her lips, "do not fret I have no interest on knowing such troublesome things." She waved her hand as if to say, forget it. "Knowing those information would be useless and will bring great trouble to me if others find out." She tapped the table and leaned back to her chair. "What I do want though is for you to form a team under me."
"I do not mind serving another master, but I do hope master can let us rest before deploying my brothers and I for missions." Ma Shu cautiously asked Zhi Ruo, as he felt like this master of there's is quite kind. "We are currently not in the right condition for us to move around, it a miracle that we are still alive today." He added.
Zhi Ruo laughed and answered. "I did plan for you to rest and recover, that is why I asked Ravel to look for a mansion under an anonymous name. You may have already knew of me, I am a Xiaojie that lives like a beggar. And I can't exactly bring you and your brothers inside the the Liu's property, it would raise much attention. In which I do not need at the moment." Zhi Ruo pointed at herself.
"I, your master is in the same period as you, preparing to become a butterfly. I am also resting and recovering my body." Zhi pointed this out, the men that was inside the room felt that their master is truly with them through thick and thin. But this point made them brought their attention back to Zhi Ruo's frail body. And they could not help but wonder how Zhi Ruo lived.
But the truth was the Zhi Ruo of this world had already died.
Seeing the men staying silent she spoke. "Then shall I give you a rundown as to what the plans are for the near future?" She took the silence as a sign to continue. "First, after you lived to the house that Ravel bought, to will be under extensive care. That means you have to follow all of my orders the moment I start to treat your condition." She added. "I will be using different type of treatment then the once you usually have. That's why I need you to not panic, for I will have it under control."
The last part that Zhi Ruo added, was to warn them that the treatment that she is using is different from the traditional ones. Of course she is referring to modern medicine.
"Second- wait before that. Would you guys mind if I can cut your hair and beard? It's bothering to no end." Zhi Ruo snapped to this and that.
Peng Shui chuckle half giggled, "yeah it was kinda bothering me. Would master mind?" In which that translated inside Zhi Ruo's head as ' same, sis cut it for me yeah?' so of course looking around. She called for an employee of the place and asked the employee for a blade and pieces of clothes.
The employee though confused brought the blade and the stripes of clothes and handed it to Zhi Ruo.
After receiving the blade, Zhi Ruo asked the men to gather in a line and proceeded to cut and shave their beards and hairs. In a way that even Zhi Ruo is impressed with her own precision.
"You have a nick for cutting hairs don't to master?" Peng Shui chuckled, and though he is the oldest he acts as if he is not. Earning him a sharp elbow on the ribs from one of his brothers. Touching his clean face and perfectly groomed hair, his sharp eyes and the upturned of his lips was ever present now that his hair was out of the way.
"Afraid so, though I would still prefer to cut heads than to groom men but I tolerate for now." Zhi Ruo replied not looking up from Han Meng's head. As she fiddled with his hair, he sat on the chair stiffly.
The others that was done, went and grab the stripes of clothes and tied up there hairs. Used to the length of their hairs. Which Zhi Ruo left it long, knowing that having short hair is considered rather boorish around these parts. By the time Zhi Ruo was done, the men made themselves useful by cleaning up the hair and gathering it in a clay pot.
They called for an employee and let them take the pot away, and returned the blade. Although the men in the room were given a few looks, they knew that it was the same group of men that were taken in as slaves so they dismissed their looks and left.
The wind shifted and Ravel returned, he silently landed on the window and into the room. Earning him a few odd looks from the seven men. Taking off his hood, he smiled and went up to Zhi Ruo.
"The house is obtained master, what would your next instructions?" He waited patiently by Zhi Ruo's side, he swung the hood back into Zhi Ruo's shoulders and held up a scroll. "This is the deed of the house." Zhi Ruo opened it and took a glance before giving it back to Ravel.
"Escort me to the house?" Zhi Ruo answered thoughtfully. "En the house might need some furnitures yes?" Seeing Ravel nod, she stood up and headed for the door.
"Miss we already paid for our rooms here. Isn't it a bit wasteful to just go?" Lao Xiao couldn't help but ask.
"Don't worry You guys should stay here for a day or two. I need some time for me to get the nessesary furnitures, and do a little but snooping around the house." Zhi Ruo worried in her heart about her meager amount of Qi/MP. "I'll let Ravel come fetch you if I'm done with those." Zhi Ruo pointed at the man whose hands that was holding a scroll suddenly became empty.
"And as for your meals and daily necessities I'll have the people here serve them to your bountifully. Also do you still have those soap I gave you?"
"Yes"
"Good, I want all of you to take a bath once a day with those. Inform Ravel if you guys run out of those I'll give you new ones. Seeing them nod, Zhi Ruo pushed them out of the room and ushered them to rest. After they left Zhi Ruo and Ravel were the only one inside.
"Do you need to eat?" Zhi Ruo wondered and asked her butler.
"I don't need to, I can go on without eating for 50 years if it is nessesary." Ravel replied.
"I see, I'll arrange some food for you anyways. Then- tell me about this house? Who was selling it?" Zhi Ruo leaned in the tea table and looked at Ravel expectingly.
"It was formally a main house of a merchant. It was said that the merchant was to receive a title from the emperor and thus would be soon a noble. The merchant met some bad luck that not only lost his promised title but also incurred the wrath of the emperor." Ravel recalled some of the gossip person that was selling it to him. "He had to leave the capitol in a hurry and sold all of his houses and villas while he was at it."
"Is the merchant still going to continue his work?"
"Now that I think- the answer is probably a no. But we got the price of the mansion lower than the average market price so it's a win. The mansion is magnificent, and it is large too."
"How large is it?"
"If we measure it in your standard. It is around 10 football Fields."
"That's as large." Zhi Ruo raised a brow is surprise.
"And we got it around thrice as less of the original amount Because the owner was scrambling to retreat all his roots." Ravel smiled. Zhi Ruo couldn't help but think that the smile looked like when somebody got something they wanted with dirty means.
"Maintaining the mansion would be a hassle no?" Zhi Ruo sighed.
"No it won't be, as long as I'm the one in charge of the cleaning. Though about the furniture, what is master's plans about it?" Ravel slid some tea to Zhi Ruo.
"I was planning too get some from my dimension. Having people buying it would take too long and I'll probably won't like the design. But I'm worried about my reserves. At best I can only open the dimensions for about 5 minutes or so." Zhi Ruo sipped the tea and said to Ravel. "That wouldn't be a problem right? If I do it in one go I mean."
"Yes, we can do it in a day or too. That is of course if we do it without rest. Your subordinates may have to stay in this hotel for a couple of days at least. Or maybe a week." Ravel, looked through the cupboards. "On the other hand, what should the design of your mansion be?"
"Modern, if it's possible. The colors should be black, white, silver and gold." Zhi Ruo ticked off her fingers and said to Ravel who nodded. "Since there is no devices like TV, let's have some unique devices on this world replace it."
"Unique? I'm afraid it would still be lacking. Since most of the devices circles around cultivation." Ravel added, "then shall I just make do with what we have master?"
"Yes," Zhi Ruo could only nod, she underestimated the devices of this world. "If possible, add a clinic, an cultivation room, a greenhouse and a lab. Can you do that Ravel?"
"Yes of course master."
The men inside the room listened as Zhi Ruo listed out what she wanted. They couldn't help but gape at this new master of theirs. It was said that she lived as a beggar despite her tittle. But why does it seem like this Xiaojie of there's is like a rich lord that's spending money like water?
"Our master is awesome," Ma Shu couldn't help but mutter.
"Shut up." Han Meng chastised the youngest, although his heart couldn't help but agree.
"Alright, shall we go now master?" Ravel nodded, at some point he pulled out a parchment and a brush and started listing all Zhi Ruo's requests.
"Alright. Men, all of you stay here in this inn. I would be back shortly." Zhi Ruo stood up, her black cloak covering her figure. She paused for a second looking at Ravel, before gritting her teeth and opening her dimension and getting a similar cloak for Ravel.
"Fuwah" she breathed out. "Lead the way." She motioned to her butler.
"We will be waiting for you here master!" All seven men bowed at the direction of the black figure.
Zhi Ruo and Ravel disappeared through the crowds fairly easily. When the men looked out of the window of the inn, they could not find the two figures although they were given an eagles angle.
"Do you think that we are safe?" Reed Ge's usual bubbly face turned solemn as he asked Han Meng. "With them I think we have hope." He added, his eyes looked at the crowd of people below.
"I can't say..." Han Meng answered. "But I have all reasons to follow them blindly despite the dangers." Han Meng's stiff face smiled as he declared.
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Latest Chapter
[Telltale]
[Qiao Liwei Auction house]Zhi Ruo gracefully accepted the outstretched hand offered by Ravel, who was dressed in his servant clothes. The only difference was, he had taken upon himself to don a white mask with no holes for the eyes nose and mouth. Stepping down from the carriage they had taken from the opulent mansion after their— quote on quote "satisfying lunch", she found Yuan Chuanli awaiting their arrival. As he had went out before her.His imposing figure stood tall, the clan's emblem prominently displayed on his back, drawing curious gazes from onlookers nearby. Both the participants of the auction and the bystanders that had nothing else to do but waut outside the auction house to try and take a good look of the rarely seem rich people.Zhi Ruo stepped beside Yuan Chuanli with a similar robe on her shoulders, adorning the Ye clan symbol of a similar fashion. She didn't mind the stares that was aimed at her, because in the first place, she didn't want to hide, nor cared to hid
[The Mansion]
With a brisk and determined pace, one that Yuan Chuanli grew to familiarize, Zhi Ruo arrived at the mansion she knew so well. Well, as much you can know from the daily reports of your butler that is. As she stepped inside, she couldn't help but notice the striking metamorphosis that had taken place. The familiar building and grounds remained, yet the ambiance and energy of the house had undergone a remarkable transformation. As Zhi Ruo led the way, Yuan Chuanli quietly followed, his initial grumbling fading away. Their path unveiled a street of lavish grandeur, unmistakably tailored for the privileged few who could afford such opulence. Yuan Chuanli couldn't help but entertain the thought that Zhi Ruo had led them astray. However, any words that formed on his lips died as his tongue was suddenly glued to the top of his mouth, he observed Zhi Ruo confidently and nonchalantly enter one of the most expansive estates.
[The Maid's Incompetence]
Yuan Chuanli stretched his hands upwards his shoulders popping in the motion, his face sported a refreshed look of satisfaction as he went out of the building with light steps. Obviously in a good mood. In the far distance, he could see Zhi Ruo's figure as she talked with her butler. He could not see Zhi Ruo's expression, but he certainly can see Ravel's.Without wasting anytime, he made his way towards the two with a look of inquiry. "The auction will start around one in the afternoon, it's still daytime and we haven't even gotten our lunch yet. What does the young miss intend to do?" Yuan Chuanli folded his hands underneath his clothes as he walked towards the duo.Upon hearing Yuan Chuanli, Ravel nodded his head. "Deciple Yuan Chuanli is right young miss, it would be advisable to eat before we attend the auction." Like a responsible servant, Ravel suggested to follow Yuan Chuanli's words. The two looked at Zhi Ruo's mask,
[Tassle]
The servant with the tassle smiled upon hearing Zhi Ruo's words, it was a tight lipped smile, as if she was saying that she knew something Zhi Ruo didn't. "It was the head that gave the order to give this to the young miss. I am to inform you that the resources that you chose and won from the tournament, along with the deed of the training ground, the plaque of the noble title, and the merit points, are inside the plaque in your hands."The servant's hands motioned for the rest of the servants in the room to line up at the sides, earning Yuan Chuanli's silent gaze. Zhi Ruo raised her brows upon hearing the servant's words, she then tied the plaque in the insides of her robe after shooting a nod towards the servant with a tassle."The head has had the heiress plaque be customize so that it can store storage now. The patriarch advices the young miss to not lose the plaque because it has now become more valuable than a mansion in the capital." The
[She's the heir]
Yuan Chuanli raised his hands and clenched on thin air as if he was clawing the clear sky above him, his face was red with unconcealed rage, and he looked close to launching himself towards Zhi Ruo. Who, even without showing the expression on her face because of her mask, still manage to annoy him to no end.Yuan Chuanli quickly realized that pretenses were useless in front of the person who is like Zhi Ruo. Because regardless of how you act in front of her her, in the end, if she is in the mood, you would be left coughing up blood in rage. Yuan Chuanli wasn't called 'boy genius ' for nothing, as he learned fast. And Yuan Chuanli learned to stop trying to control his emotions in front of Zhi Ruo, because Zhi Ruo wouldn't care if he broke his 'boy genius' façade anyways. The boy genius cannot help but feel rather offended of this somehow.But before he could do anything drastic, a woman greeted Yuan Chuanli
[Curious]
"Interesting people you say..." The owner echoed Alberu's words. The side of her lips pulled up in a quirk. A flash of uncertainty crossed her eyes looking at the representative of the Liu clan being led by her staff. 'Those guys are pretty bold to come inside without any disguises, are they not afraid of others spreading rumours? It's already bad enough that General Liu is already rumoured to have taken a bad turn in terms of his health. Now his people are coming in so brazenly. How careless, to think they even displayed their logo so proudly on their chests.' Yang Meixiang closed her fan, and tapped it gently on her palm, her thoughts were full of dissatisfaction towards the representatives of the Liu clan. Full of judgement she may have, but she could not voice these thoughts aloud.'Its also very unusual for his two concubine borne daughters to not appear in the socialite circles. In most cases, in big auctions like these, they are usually the first in line to book a private roo
[Information]
As if he doesn't know what was running through Yang Meixiang's head, Alberu turned his head and was heading straight towards the seat that was meant for the owner of the room. Which mind you, wasn't him.The owner could not help but break her expression upon seeing Alberu's audacity. It was clear to her that the masked man never put her in his eyes. But she could only open and close her mouth, knowing that she cannot afford to step on the toes of this young man. The fan on her hand fluttered quickly for a split second before Yang Meixiang chose to quietly regain her bearings. "Indeed I am busy these days..." The masked man crossed his legs as he made himself comfortable in Yang Meixiang's seat. "I hear you sell information?" He promptly changed the topic, his head tilting towards Yang Meixiang's direction. Even without seeing his eyes, Yang Meixiang knew that the young master wasn't in the mood for joking or beating around
[The Auction House]
Zhi Ruo rolled her eyes. "Quit yapping you brat, and just follow me." The young miss went inside first, before Yuan Chuanli sighed behind her and followed her lead. Behind the boy genius, Ravel followed calmly carrying Zhi Ruo's luggage. Inside, Zhi Ruo adjusted the container of Zhōngguó, and faced Yuan Chuanli unflappable façade. Before scoffing after seeing that the boy genius wasn't as unflappable as he wanted to be seen in Zhi Ruo's eyes. The vehicle started moving as soon as everyone was seated, Ravel who had already been instructed as to what to do, took over as the driver of the vehicle. And slowly, they departed from the Sighted Valley safely. The journey would take about 6 hours under Zhi Ruo's estimation given the speed that they were going, it was enough to catch up with the auction, so Zhi Ruo let Ravel do his thing and instead focused on Yuan Chuanli.
[Where Are We Going Exactly?]
It has already been day since the talk with Yuan Chuanli. And unfortunately for the young genius, Zhi Ruo saw through her words efficiently and without any waste of time. Because not even an hour later, Yuan Chuanli who was enjoying his alone time in his 'own' pavilion, directly received a scroll from Ravel. And again without him noticing that damn butler's presence ;Or so he grumbles under his breath. He was torn in between considering Ravel's actions, rude, or considerate, because the moment he handed the scroll to him (without even a greeting) the butler had disappeared instantly without a word. The young genius was certainly glad he didn't have to spend time with idle chatter (as his etiquette calls him to do) and fake pleasantries, but he won't deny that Ravel's appearance 'who was without greetings' irked him a bit. Well, not really a bit. Yuan Chuanli just find it beneath him to get
