Volume 6, Chapter 347 – Let Her Be My Maid

Qi Huang walked with light, unhurried steps toward the rear courtyard. Before she even arrived, her divine sense had already swept through the area.

At the moment, the courtyard was bustling with activity. Over a dozen cultivators had gathered, all waiting to be tested for the job opportunity.

“Liu Yingyue must have offered a very generous reward this time. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have attracted so many people.”

Qi Huang mused silently to herself.

The cultivators waiting for their turn weren’t idle either. They had already begun the customary pre-test trash-talking.

“May I ask your esteemed name, fellow Daoist? Which sect do you belong to?”

“Just a wandering cultivator, unaffiliated with any sect. Not worth mentioning.”

“What? A mere wandering cultivator dares to seek employment here? The journey to the imperial capital spans over a thousand li, with scarce settlements and demons lurking along the way. Do you even have the ability to protect Manager Liu?”

“Hmph! What’s wrong with being a wandering cultivator? This immortal once stayed at Poyun Peak, do you even know what that is? The second-largest immortal sect in the cultivation world. All the sects in Yongning Province combined couldn’t compare to a single peak of theirs.”

“Heh, just because Poyun Peak is powerful doesn’t mean you are. If you were truly capable, why would you end up as a wandering cultivator?”

“Indeed. May I ask what realm you’ve reached, fellow Daoist? How many layers of the Unity Realm?”

“Why should I tell you?”

“Don’t tell me you haven’t even reached the Unity Realm? If you’re still stuck in the Body Refinement Realm, you can’t even see ghosts, watch out lest you become one yourself.”

The dozen or so cultivators were like rabid dogs, biting at each other without restraint, turning the scene into utter chaos.

Though Qi Huang was powerful, she was thin-skinned. As soon as she entered, she quietly retreated to a corner to admire the flowers, hoping to avoid getting dragged into the mess. Unfortunately, her appearance made it impossible for her to remain unnoticed.

The cultivators immediately noticed her, their gazes filled with undisguised desire. Fortunately, no one openly mocked her, most assumed she was just a guest of the Golden Fortune Auction House.

Though displeased, Qi Huang understood that gains and losses went hand in hand, so she didn’t dwell on it. She simply sat back and watched the group tear into each other like wild dogs.

Alas, the tree may crave calm, but the wind will not cease. Her beauty ensured that she would attract unwanted attention no matter where she went, even with a veil covering her face.

Before long, a middle-aged cultivator approached her with a greasy smile.

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“Young lady, this humble one is Tian Yu of the Huxiao Sect. Might I inquire about your esteemed name?”

“What business do you have with me, Immortal Tian?”

Qi Huang replied coolly, her expression unreadable.

“Well, you see, this humble one possesses modest assets within the Huxiao Sect—two or three estates, four or five acres of fertile land. Unfortunately, my wife has been… unproductive, leaving me without an heir. If you are willing, I can offer you the chance to become my concubine. Bear me a child, and you may rise in status, becoming the mistress of the Tian Estate.”

Tian Yu spoke with the politest tone, yet his words reeked of arrogance.

“Heh…”

Qi Huang was so furious she nearly laughed. Unfortunately, broad daylight wasn’t the best time to start a fight. Instead, she “gently” declined.

“Thank you for your kind offer, Immortal Tian, but this humble girl has no interest.”

“Think carefully. The Huxiao Sect is the greatest immortal sect in Yongning Province. Most women would claw their way in if given the chance. If you miss this opportunity, I cannot guarantee I’ll remain interested in taking a concubine.”

Tian Yu’s voice carried a hint of unwillingness.

“Scram.”

Qi Huang could no longer hold back her disgust. What kind of trash dares to look down on me? Even Elder Zhou wouldn’t dare speak to me like this.

“Fine! I’ll remember you.”

Tian Yu left with a threatening smirk.

“Is this girl insane? She actually dared to insult someone from the Huxiao Sect?”

“Exactly. The Huxiao Sect is the most powerful sect in Yongning Province. Their disciples run rampant, even the government offices don’t dare interfere. By provoking them, she’s not only endangering herself but also bringing disaster upon her family and friends.”

“Serves her right. Spoiled by the fact that mortal women are treated like treasures, she’s developed a foul temper. Does she think cultivators are like ordinary men with no bottom line, willing to grovel at her feet?”

Whispers spread among the cultivators.

Yet Qi Huang remained unperturbed. Given her current strength, even if the entire Huxiao Sect were present, she wouldn’t hesitate to put them in their place.

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After seeing the Huxiao Sect disciple humiliated, the other cultivators wisely avoided provoking this thorny rose. Even their gazes became furtive, lest they invite trouble.

Meanwhile, in a guest room on the third floor, Xia Wei was reporting Qi Huang’s arrival to her mistress.

“Why did you send her to the rear courtyard? Does someone recommended by Brother Huang even need testing?”

Liu Yingyue’s tone carried a hint of displeasure.

“Young Mistress, perhaps you should confirm with Brother Huang, is the person he recommended truly her?”

Xia Wei couldn’t hide her skepticism.

“Is there a problem?”

Liu Yingyue asked absentmindedly, still weighed down by grief over her father’s passing.

“She… she doesn’t look like someone capable at all.”

Xia Wei sighed helplessly.

“What’s wrong? Do you distrust Brother Huang? Since joining our auction house, he’s been nothing but diligent. You’ve seen it yourself, he wouldn’t recommend someone unreliable.”

Liu Yingyue lifted her head slightly.

“No, of course I trust Brother Huang. But she looks far too young. If she were to die because of this, it would be a terrible waste.”

Xia Wei quickly explained.

“How young?”

Liu Yingyue asked casually.

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“Everything about her is small, except her figure. I’d estimate she’s only sixteen or seventeen.”

Xia Wei recalled carefully.

“What? Sixteen or seventeen? Are you sure?”

Liu Yingyue was stunned.

“See for yourself. She’s still in the courtyard.”

Xia Wei gestured toward the window.

Liu Yingyue stood and walked over, immediately spotting Qi Huang in the courtyard below.

“She’s wearing a veil. How could you tell her age?”

Liu Yingyue frowned. From this distance, and with her ordinary vision, she couldn’t make out much detail.

“It’s just a veil, not a mask. Part of her face is still visible. Her eyes are beautiful, yes, but there’s also a youthful softness to them. How could I not notice?”

Xia Wei shook her head helplessly.

“Fine. Bring ink, paper, and brushes. Let’s go down and see for ourselves.”

After a brief pause, Liu Yingyue strode out of the room.

Qi Huang was growing bored when her divine sense finally detected Liu Yingyue’s arrival at the courtyard entrance, accompanied only by Xia Wei.

“Young Mistress, see? Didn’t I tell you? Doesn’t she look incredibly young?”

Xia Wei peeked inside like a thief before eagerly whispering to her mistress.

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Liu Yingyue also craned her slender neck to examine Qi Huang closely. A look of astonishment soon crossed her delicate face, her maid hadn’t exaggerated in the slightest.

“Perhaps… she’s just exceptionally talented?”

Liu Yingyue attempted to salvage the situation.

“Young Mistress, cultivation is no easier than martial arts. At her age, no matter how gifted, how strong could she possibly be?”

Xia Wei remained doubtful.

Hearing this, Liu Yingyue’s resolve wavered, and she fell silent.

“Young Mistress, should we still test her? It’s not that I distrust Brother Huang, nor do I think you’re being deceived. I just don’t want to see such a young girl throw her life away.”

As time passed, Xia Wei couldn’t help but press the issue.

“No. Hire her directly, consider it a favor to Brother Huang. Given her age, she must be in dire need of money. Besides, we already have over a dozen cultivators here. One more won’t make a difference.”

Liu Yingyue finally made her decision.

“But what if the other cultivators object?”

Xia Wei hesitated before asking.

“Tell them she’s my new personal maid. That should shut them up.”

Liu Yingyue immediately proposed a solution.

“That’s a good idea. It’ll silence the critics while keeping her close to you, away from danger.”

Xia Wei nodded in agreement. Her intention had never been to drive Qi Huang away, she simply didn’t want to see the young girl die needlessly.

“What nonsense is this? A maid? I came here to be a bodyguard!”

Qi Huang had heard every word through her divine sense. The sheer absurdity of the situation left her utterly speechless.