Chapter 101: The New Maid

“According to the records in the collected ancient texts, choosing different stars only provides a general direction. The specific effects produced by condensing the Nine Emperors will vary from person to person. What kind of special ability will I get? For me, the biggest difference between the two is probably that the Heaven Emperor leans toward combat while the Ziwei leans toward support!” George muttered to himself for a while but still couldn’t decide which one to choose. “Forget it, I still have six days left. I’ll talk about it later!”

At this time, George’s hesitant personality was most obvious. Every time he faced a choice between two options with their own advantages, as long as there was no external pressure, he always found it hard to make a decision.

“I’ll go to the Bokabu Temple tomorrow to borrow some books about Kalatu scripts that I haven’t read yet. I have to figure out that Martial Record at least. I can’t let the item I spent 500 Gold Coins on just sit there and go moldy.” With a plan for the next day, George sat on his bed and began cultivating the Jade Fluid Return Elixir Method.

Soon, faint blue smoke seemed to appear above George’s head. At the same time, the pores all over George’s body opened wide to exchange with the air, constantly inhaling the pure energy from outside and exhaling the turbid energy from within. This was a manifestation of what people commonly call the I Ching Marrow Cleansing. George thought this stage was over, but he discovered that the Jade Fluid had started this process again under the influence of his Divine Soul and Essence Spirit.

This told George that his previous body purification could not completely turn him into something as crystal clear and translucent as glass. Although he could now go a step further, George, having learned from past experiences, dared not be sure if he could reach the ideal level. After all, the methods George had used before could no longer expel impurities from the body, and according to the books, the I Ching Marrow Cleansing should have ended. The main cultivation after that was to prevent new impurities from accumulating in the body.

This is like the Zen Buddhist poem: “The Bodhi is originally no tree, the mirror is also not a stand. Originally there is nothing, where can dust arise?” and the other one: “The body is the Bodhi tree, the heart is the bright mirror stand. Wipe it diligently at all times, do not let dust gather.” The former refers to the ultimate achievement, while the latter emphasizes the role and process of cultivation.

Although Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes sudden enlightenment, values the former more, for a Taoist cultivator like George, the latter has more practical reference value. As for the disputes between Buddhism and Taoism, with the three teachings merging for so long, let the Tao be the Tao and the reference be the reference.

However, George was still happy to have a chance to go further. Although his anxiety and unease were also magnified, it was true that the more knowledge one has, the more ignorant one feels about oneself.

As for the legendary I Ching Marrow Cleansing that covers the whole body in black sludge that washing can’t remove, not to mention how a person’s body could contain such a huge amount of impurities, the effect of such intense detoxification through the skin might even question whether a person could survive it.

As for the skin becoming delicate and smooth later, I’d say if the pores didn’t change size to the size of needle holes in a short time, that would be a miracle. Actually, imagining the skin texture improving might cause a higher risk of trypophobia instead.

“Hoo!” George let out a long breath, and a visible white stream of mist shot from his mouth and nose until it hit the wall three meters away and then dissipated. This was the turbid energy and water vapor expelled through George’s lungs, a phenomenon produced when sent out of the body all at once.

George sniffed his nose and found the air in the room was really uncomfortable. Realizing this was caused by the waste products from his own body, he immediately got off the bed and pushed open the window on the outer wall.

The autumn night was already showing signs of coolness. The dry north wind poured into George’s bedroom through the gap formed by the window on the wall. The temperature in the room, which had risen due to George’s cultivation, suddenly dropped, making people shiver. Fortunately, George could now be Immune to Cold and Heat and was not affected by this. But the goal was finally achieved. With the baptism of the autumn wind, a large amount of fresh air rushed into the room. After George opened the door as well, the air circulation made the previously turbid and stuffy situation in the room improve greatly.

“Ilena! Help me arrange the bathwater.” The moment the words left George’s mouth, he realized that during this time in Karada, Ilena would not be by his side all the time as before. It was an arrangement he had made himself, but habits formed over five or six years were not so easy to change in a day or two.

George scratched his head shyly with his head bowed and then tried to recall, “Who was the new maid temporarily selected by Head Maid Sarah for me? I think I met a little girl a few times before.”

After some thought, George finally dug out an image of this girl from a corner deep in his memory. Unlike Ilena, she was a maid slightly older than George. Head Maid Sarah probably hoped to find a skilled maid to temporarily replace Ilena’s work.

After all, George was used to Ilena’s service, whether good or bad, he would never say anything. But once the person changed, even a slight difference might make George, the master, unhappy. So, choosing a serious, skilled, and experienced one was the most stable plan.

Just as George was still thinking about the other’s name, a slightly crisp female voice came from the corridor: “My Lord, didn’t you arrange for Ilena to learn by the side of the Head Maid? Now I will take care of your diet and daily life. Is there anything you need me to do?”

The other’s unique voice finally made George remember the name he had heard only once: “It should be Rebecca, right? Are you nearby?”

While George was asking, the other had already arrived at the left side of the door, waiting quietly for George’s further instructions. Looking at the girl in front of him who was carefully dressed, George couldn’t help but wonder how Ilena’s studies were going.

This girl was about the same height as George. Just looking at her face, her tender skin was rare even among young Commoner girls. On her slightly wide forehead, a row of shallow bangs covered it. Her carefully trimmed long eyebrows made her brow bone not look so high. A series of these details made her facial features look more coordinated, and the lines were softer. It was clear that she had put a lot of effort into this to cover her natural imperfections in front of others.

In contrast were her pair of slightly melancholy gem-green big eyes, which made her look especially pitiable against the backdrop of her combed eyelashes; her small and pointed nose, and her long, charming, round lips with a moist look. If she could burst into a smile, she would be even more attractive. This was using makeup to highlight her advantages, making her original strengths appear even more obvious.

Servants under a Noble also represent the face of the Noble in some ways. Especially when the family held a ball or other social activities, the servants had to show their shiny and bright side in front of others. Otherwise, not only would they lose face, but they would also bring shame to their master’s family.

People who are naturally beautiful without any flaws are indeed a minority. Even noble families could not replace all their servants with such rare treasures. So, makeup skills became a required course for servants under Nobles, both male and female. They, as subordinates, could not wait for others to put makeup on them like Nobles.

Ilena, under George’s spoiling, had not truly mastered the art of makeup for so many years. This remedial lesson should also be a key point. Otherwise, Rebecca would not have taken the time to put on such complicated makeup if there were no balls to attend. Only through comparison could it be easier to see if there was any progress.

George, coming back to his senses, ordered: “Help me arrange the bathwater in the bathroom! I’ve been busy all day. It’s time to take a bath and relax.”

“I understand, My Lord. Then please wait for a while.” Saying this, Rebecca bowed and turned around, walking with light and even steps to do her work.

Watching the other’s natural yet slightly elegant movements, George touched his chin and said: “I hope that next time I see Ilena, she can be like this too. No, as long as she changes her carefree habits, I will be satisfied if she can do half of what Rebecca does. I really spoiled her too much back then.”

For his past failures to fully identify with his identity and do some things that went against the customs of this world, things that outsiders looked at as absurd, George was also conducting a deep reflection and trying to find ways to save the situation. After all, it is never too late to mend the fold after the sheep are lost.

In the steam-filled bathroom, George was lying on the white marble bed in the bathroom. Wrapped only in a towel around his lower body, he was enjoying Rebecca’s hand massage on his back. In the warm bath, after relaxing all his muscles with the help of the water flow, enjoying the massage from a girl whose professionalism was questionable was also a pleasure.

That pair of small hands kept pushing, pressing, and kneading George’s shoulders, back, arms, and legs. Although the girl’s hands were soft, they had calluses from long-term work. After the calluses were softened by hot water, the feeling on George’s body was like going to some large-scale blind massage shops from before his transmigration.

George, enjoying the moment, thought: “In these two months, can Ilena also learn this skill? Forget it, even if she learns it, there will be no use for it when we return to Karada. There is no such luxurious marble bathroom there.”

The moon in the night sky quietly climbed to its highest point…