After several days of quiet cultivation.

That evening, Li Xian was simmering a soup made from tiger bones. The soup was boiling, and the flavor had already been infused. Li Xian cracked two bird eggs into it, sprinkled in two handfuls of salt, a handful of chopped green onions, and added some wild vegetables from the mountains.

The color, aroma, and taste were all quite satisfactory.

Feeling pleased with his improved culinary skills, he was about to open his mouth wide and indulge when he saw Uncle Fu coming over.

"Master, I brought your salary for you."

Uncle Fu said respectfully.

"Hmm?" Li Xian was taken aback, "My salary, how come it's with you? Come to think of it, I haven't collected my salary in months."

Uncle Fu explained the situation.

It turned out that Black River Village was under the oversight of the Mistress, and every winter, the village chief had to report the village's situation to the manor.

Whether there were casualties or newborns.

The villagers, generation after generation, for all their descendants, were tenant farmers of the Mistress. When Uncle Fu visited the manor, Accountant Uncle Xiang asked him to bring back the salary.

This saved another trip.

"Master, it's really chaotic outside these days."

"You haven't seen it; the nursing home at the manor is bustling, they are running around frantically."

Uncle Fu handed over the money pouch.

Li Xian checked the money; the salary for several months was all there.

"I heard that the commander of the nursing home has been replaced. That's a rare occurrence, and many of the nursing home masters are discussing it." Uncle Fu said animatedly.

"Oh? He's been replaced?" Li Xian's heart skipped a beat, "The commander is no longer surnamed Pang?"

"Not anymore, the surname is now Hua." Uncle Fu said, "That master, he really is arrogant, not as amiable as you, master."

"When we just entered the manor, we were almost kicked out by him. But then again, master, someone like you is one of a kind in this world."

"In my opinion, it would have been better if you were the commander."

Li Xian frowned slightly, "Do you know the reason why? Did Commander Pang get promoted or something?"

"Not quite sure." Uncle Fu recalled, "It seems... he was injured, in bed, with Hua Command acting in his place."

"I'm afraid the injury is severe." Li Xian pondered deeply.

It's a pity that he couldn't see Pang Long, being so far away.

Li Xian remembered Hua Hanying's eyes; this person was by no means broad-minded, yet Pang Long had no defenses against him.

"Hua Hanying should not be underestimated; he's narrow-minded yet ambitious. I feel he's coveted the commander position for a long time. Commander Pang has been very kind to me; I must remind him of this matter."

Li Xian pocketed the money and resolved to return to the manor the next day.

He drank down the tiger soup, finding the taste quite good. The mountain vegetables subdued the gaminess of the tiger meat. Just the right amount of salt enhanced the freshness of the tiger meat. The marrow from the bones oozed out, smooth and glossy, adding extra flavor.

If he added some sweet fruits, it would give a richer taste.

[Your culinary skill improved, skill level +2]

...

Before dawn the next day, Li Xian set out, taking long strides, running with light and swift movements, covering several meters in one leap.

The speed was extremely fast.

He arrived back at the manor before the hour of the dragon.

He headed straight to Pang Long's residence and found that Pang Long was indeed heavily injured, his face pale, lying on the bed, with weak breathing.

"Commander Pang," Li Xian called out.

"Cough cough." Pang Long awoke, his eyes unfocused. It took him a while to gradually focus and recognize Li Xian.

"Li... Li Xian... how have you come here?"

His voice was weak, supporting himself up with his right hand.

"I heard you were heavily injured and came to check on you." Li Xian channeled Qi into him, asking, "Commander Pang, what happened? You're seriously injured."

Pang Long's internal organs were damaged, his right leg bone fractured in several places. Without precious medicines, his recovery was impossible. Lifelong disability was a certainty.

Furthermore, his left wrist had been slashed by a blade. The remnants of the blade force lingered, the wound not yet healed. Were it not for Pang Long's mastery of Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure, he would have bled to death.

"It's a long story, so I won't elaborate." Pang Long shook his head, weakly saying, "It was kind of you to come specifically to see me."

Li Xian frowned, "You're so gravely injured and can't move around easily; why is there no one taking care of you?"

Pang Long was taken aback. After a moment, he said, "Everyone has their own duties; as for my injury, rest is needed." A hint of loneliness surfaced in his expression.

In truth, he was aware that all the nursing home members were currying favor with Hua Hanying. A sick dragon was not as valued as a fledgling eagle.

The mistress, upon learning his situation, simply said, "I know, focus on recovery," and said no more.

"Commander Pang, I must soon leave on duties again, can't stay long. This time, I've come both to see your injuries and to..." Li Xian said solemnly, "It's perhaps petty of me, but be wary of Hua Hanying."

"Hanying also joined at your age." Pang Long shook his head, "We all serve the mistress loyally; that's all we need to focus on."

"Perhaps." Li Xian shrugged, dropping the subject.

They exchanged a few more words, then Li Xian bade farewell and left.

As he walked through the manor.

Li Xian suddenly felt melancholy; though he was a nursing home member, he was not familiar with the manor. There were wild forests and lands he had never traversed.

Walking along the path, he passed by the Guardian Mansion. He heard footsteps; the nursing home members had just finished their morning training and were returning to the Guardian Mansion for martial arts practice.

"Have you heard? Later, Master Hua wants to discuss something with us."

"Hey, don't call him sir anymore, he's Commander Hua now. Better not get it wrong, or you'll make him unhappy and we won't be in good standing."

"Commander Hua is new to office, bringing a burst of reforms. Alas, I am just a man of remarkable talent, an A-class Nursing Home isn't even my limit."

"Even Commander Pang chose to retire and yield to talent. I heard he was gravely injured this time, not sure if he can recover."

"Who cares, if he recovers, we'll just treat him as our esteemed master again."

...

The crowd surged in.

Li Xian showed no interest and turned to leave. He met Hua Hanying head-on, who had shed his Nursing Home attire and donned a commander's uniform. Young and handsome, he looked rather extraordinary.

"Li Xian?" Hua Hanying was taken aback, then smiled, "Well, since you're here, you might as well listen. This matter concerns you too."

He strode directly in front of the crowd and said, "Everyone, I, Hua Hanying, have been promoted to Acting Commander. Before Pang Long recovers, I am in charge of the Nursing Home."

"I plan to make improvements on the foundation laid by the former commander, and now establish new rules. I am here to inform you all."

"Concerning patrol shifts, there will be no difference from before. The main focus is on Nursing Home rankings. After much deliberation, I've decided on a major reform."

Hua Hanying spoke eloquently, "All of you in the Nursing Home have been loyal to the lady, some for ten, twenty years."

"The previous Nursing Home evaluation was unfair, allowing opportunists to cheat the system while disheartening those loyal for ten, twenty years without promotion."

"Therefore, I will today change 'A, B, C, D,' to one, two, three, four classes, improving the promotion conditions."

"First, a class four Nursing Home must serve in the manor for two years before attempting a class upgrade..."

At this point, the intentions are clear.

Having explained the new rules, Hua Hanying glanced at Li Xian, secretly pleased. This move would merge Li Xian's "B-class" into "class four."

The ingenious part is that most Nursing Home members can retain their current benefits.

The position of commander holds great power, and except for the lady's directions, the promotions, patrol shifts, and training of the Nursing Home are all subject to the commander's decision, even a single word is decisive.

Hua Hanying is new to the commander's role, yet hasn't fully settled in. He lacks the power for bold reforms, but is quite happy to flaunt his power to his subordinates.

"Utterly boring."

Li Xian turned and left.

"Anyone dissatisfied can raise objections, you can propose a better plan, of course... we, being martial artists, can also duel to see who's right."

Hua Hanying felt proud, knowing as commander, he controlled the lives of the Nursing Home members, and no one dared to refute his words.

He could thus display tolerance.

Li Xian hesitated, then laughed, "Commander Hua, what did you just say?"

"Hmm?"

Hua Hanying laughed, "Hahaha. Since you didn't hear clearly, let me explain privately again. Li Xian, at such a young age, you're already a B-class, quite an achievement."

"Now, due to reforms, you drop back to class four. The disparity is a bit large, and this commander understands."

"But true gold does not fear the test of fire; as long as you possess true skills, after two years, you can rise again."

"We all serve the lady, who hasn't endured for a few years before getting recognition?"

"Young people enduring and being tested is beneficial."

Upon these words, the others chimed in.

Li Xian, since entering the manor, was conspicuous and gained fame in less than half a year. His life's goal was easily seized by others, hence the obvious resentment.

Li Xian ignored others' opinions, laughed, "Commander Hua, since true gold does not fear the test of fire, how about I put you to the test?"

"What do you mean?" Hua Hanying scowled, "You're challenging me?"

"You're discontented with the new rules, so you seek me for a duel?"

Li Xian nodded, "You could say that."

"Brave!" Hua Hanying cursed inwardly. Fists clenched, eyes narrowed, he glanced at the crowd, having made a statement, he couldn't retract it.

He thought to himself, "I need someone to make an example of, and you offer yourself willingly. Let me show you how I secured the commander's position!"

He said, "Fine, as I mentioned, if there's disagreement, it can be resolved with fists. But once in the ring, no restraint in fists and feet, consider wisely!"

The crowd, anticipating a martial duel, was excited, eyes shifting between Hua Hanying and Li Xian. They conjectured:

"Li Xian is still young, impulsive."

"Without Pang Long's backing, at best he's a C-class, how dare he challenge Commander Hua, truly arrogant."

"Sigh, Li Xian does have some skills, securing B-class isn't hard. But when it comes to challenging Commander Hua, he might not fare well."

"We've all seen Commander Hua's Fire Eagle Claw, its power, it's formidable. This Li Xian's Jade Palm… seems like he merely mastered it recently."

"It's more than that, Commander Hua's Qi Circulation is already complete. The gap between their inner qi is vast."

...

Hua Hanying puffed his chest and leapt onto the stage. Hearing the crowd's discussion, he felt quite assured.

"A man's word is weighty as gold, as commander, I stand by my word, I hope you won't back down either."

"Hurry up and join me on stage for a duel!"

With a thunderous shout, demonstrating his presence, he feared Li Xian might back out.

Li Xian said, "A word truly weighty as gold."

Finishing his words, he also ascended the stage. Nursing Home rank mattered little to him, with strength in hand, why fear a low title? Yet Hua Hanying was deliberately causing trouble, flaunting the commander's authority, his smug demeanor, was utterly detestable.

"Class four Nursing Home Li Xian, requesting guidance from Commander Hua."

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