Leading the horse on foot for more than ten miles, passing through the dense forest, the sunlight slanted in and a breeze blew in, gradually reducing the trees blocking the path.

Finally, they saw a path suitable for carriages and horses to pass.

The road ahead suddenly opened up.

The two of them got on their horses respectively and rode side by side along the path.

Li Xian held the reins, gently stroking the horse. This horse was chestnut red, with smooth and glossy fur, plump and robust, very majestic.

"Commander Li, this will be your horse from now on," Ding Hu said enviously.

Li Xian nodded and said, "I want to know about the recent affairs, big and small, in the manor, please inform me."

"I dare not, I dare not," Ding Hu said respectfully, "Whatever the commander wishes to know, I will speak without reserve. I truly cannot bear the word 'please'."

"Then go ahead," Li Xian said casually.

Then he listened as Ding Hu informed him of each and every matter in the manor. Recently, there were many affairs in the manor—foreign enemies harassed, essence treasures were cooked, and power struggles—there were all sorts of things.

After another ten miles, the road was paved with gravel and sprinkled with mud. Upon reaching the official road, it was even easier to traverse. Li Xian lightly squeezed the horse's belly and shouted "hya", and the horse's hooves flew swiftly.

Li Xian's robe fluttered in the wind, feeling utterly joyous. Arriving at the top of a mountain, he pulled the reins, stopping the horse to admire the scenery of heaven and earth, with endless emotions surging in his heart.

"Regardless of Madam's intentions."

"No matter if the road ahead is good or bad, in the end, I've taken a step forward, Heaven rewards diligence, but man must strive on his own!"

Li Xian's heart was calm.

Again, seeing the scene of rivers and mountains unchanged, but things have changed, his little brother went to the Prefecture City, Commander Pang's whereabouts unknown, and he somehow became the commander.

"Commander Li, please hurry along," Ding Hu said cautiously.

"Alright." Li Xian turned the horse around and headed for the manor.

When arriving at the manor gate.

Hua Hanying was about to leave the manor and paused when he saw Li Xian returning.

Earlier this morning, he suddenly heard rumors that Madam ordered last night for Li Xian to return to the manor as commander. He naturally did not believe it; he had been serving well as commander, how could he be suddenly replaced by Li Xian?

This matter was unfounded.

But as people talked more, his suspicion grew.

Hua Hanying wanted to find Madam to inquire. But...this might be offensive; he had only met Madam three times in the months he served as commander.

The wealth inside and outside the manor was all Madam's belongings. If there were truly any changes, Madam would decide with a single word, without needing to notify anybody.

In this manner…

He felt both inferior and conceited, both suspicious and disdainful, a mix of complex emotions in his heart, and at this moment, seeing Li Xian returning to the manor...

"Stop!"

Hua Hanying's blood surged, like a hungry tiger defending its territory, unable to suppress his anger, the more afraid, the more arrogant, the more fearful, the more reckless.

He said, "Ding Hu, how dare you, leaving your post without this commander's permission, while you are a first-class Nursing Home, is this how you set an example for others?!"

Ding Hu was unafraid and said loudly, "I was acting on a verbal order from Madam; there is no need to report to you. And Hua Hanying, the current commander is Li Xian, you better recognize your position!"

"Nonsense!" Hua Hanying said angrily, "That rumor, only you believe it. If Madam issued a verbal order, why didn't she call me, but called you instead?"

Ding Hu said, "It's because, while on night patrol passing through the inner courtyard, I happened to meet Madam, who gave me the message. She asked me to invite Li Xian back overnight."

Hua Hanying said, "No, impossible! You scoundrel, your words have no basis, you must be spreading rumors!"

"Madam has no reason, why would she make Li Xian a commander, such a move is unreasonable. What is your true intention!"

Ding Hu sneered, "Hua Hanying, I'm too lazy to argue with you, better step aside! When it turns ugly, you are the one to suffer."

Enraged, Hua Hanying quickly approached, his hand clawing towards Ding Hu, shouting, "Get off the horse! Accept the manor's punishment!" Ding Hu was startled, his ankle already caught, five additional finger holes oozing blood.

Ding Hu tried to counter with his inner qi, but it was like a clay ox entering the sea, ineffective. Hua Hanying pulled down hard, dragging him off the horse. Ding Hu cried in anger, "Hua Hanying, how dare you?!"

Hua Hanying sneered coldly, "As a dignified commander, why wouldn't I dare?!" With his next move aimed at Ding Hu's face, intending to disfigure him.

Li Xian held the knife handle, drew it out instantly, a flash of the blade. An arm was severed and flew high in the air. The severed arm, filled with inner qi, despite being separated from the body, still held formidable power, falling to the ground, the five fingers embedded in the soil.

Hua Hanying's right arm throbbed with pain, causing him to scream. Blood splattered for a moment, but the flow slowed significantly. He had reached the brink of "Blood Solidification," but even that level of mastery was not enough in front of Li Xian.

"You...you cut off my hand?! My hand...is severed?!" Hua Hanying clutched his severed arm.

Ding Hu climbed to his feet, kicked furiously. Hua Hanying had not yet adjusted to the pain of his severed arm, unable to defend himself, and was kicked several feet away.

Ding Hu clenched his fist, straddled over Hua Hanying, and pummeled him left and right in rage, "You? You are a worthless commander!"

The commotion was not small, and people had already gathered around.

The Nursing Home observed the scene, realizing the rumors were true. They all thought, "This Hua Hanying has repeatedly provoked the current Commander Li, truly courting death. Let's use this opportunity to beat him, to show where we stand."

And so the single combat turned into a group brawl.

The situation spiraled out of control. Fist after fist rained down, with varying degrees of force, eventually beating Hua Hanying to death.

...

...

"Li Xian, right? Madam has ordered, if you've returned, proceed to Jingxin Tower to wait for Madam to emerge from seclusion."

At the entrance of the inner courtyard, Qiuyue said.

Li Xian said, "Miss Qiuyue, could you please ask why Madam summoned me back?"

Qiuyue noticed Li Xian's plain attire, stepped back slightly with disdain, and said impatiently, "I do not know either, but Madam's orders are for you to follow."

Li Xian walked into the inner courtyard, waiting beneath the Meditation Tower.

The tower stood ten zhang high, entirely pitch-black, imposing and towering.

In front of the tower was a courtyard view, with wispy willows, pond water, rock gardens, and flowers...

"Madam's thoughts are truly unfathomable."

Li Xian waited for a long time, extremely bored yet unwilling to leave. So, he sought amusement around. He walked to a pond, where colorful fish swam freely in the water, unrestrained.

He lightly stirred the pond water and pondered in his heart:

"This Meditation Tower is a retreat for Madam, tranquil and serene, allowing one's thoughts to gather."

"But I wonder... what kind of retreat is Madam undertaking?"

He couldn't help but think of the initial scenes of "Jade Palm".

He waited until dusk. Qiuyue ascended the tower, and after another half an hour, Madam, dressed in white, descended the tower and appeared in his view.

Li Xian proactively went to greet her, saying: "Greetings, Madam. May I know why you summoned me?"

Madam Wen nodded and said: "Your martial arts skills have improved."

Li Xian replied: "In the deep mountains, I usually have nothing to do, so I enjoy studying martial arts."

"Not bad." Madam Wen nodded and said, "Follow me."

They arrived at an inner chamber.

Madam Wen sat at the main seat, gestured to a side seat, and said, "You may sit." Li Xian wanted to say "I'm fine standing," but then thought that being straightforward might not be disrespectful. He sat in the side seat.

Madam Wen crossed her legs, her attire slightly creased, exposing a bit of skin at her wrist, seemingly having some kind of rope mark.

Her elegance needed no deliberate display, naturally evident. She said, "You must be puzzled as to why I called you back."

"I am not one for beating around the bush. I speak plainly, reward merit, and punish faults."

"It's because of your younger brother, Li Xiaofan."

Li Xian tensed: "What's wrong with my brother?"

Madam Wen's lips slightly curled, and she said softly: "Your brother is doing well, no need to worry. He's achieved some fortune and has become a little scholar."

"That's good news!" Li Xian said.

"As a scholar who has gained some fortune, his family will rise too." Madam Wen said meaningfully: "I called you back to offer you a choice. Now, my manor lacks a Commander. If you choose to stay, this position is yours."

"If you wish to leave, I won't stop you and might even help by writing a letter of recommendation for you to the Qiong Heavenly Mansion's forces—whether trade, academies, sects, or noble families, I have some contacts."

"If you do go to the Prefecture City, you'll be closer to your brother. Perhaps you can meet him often."

"You're still young; it's not impossible to make a name for yourself. If you do, life can be quite different. After all, where there's a promising younger brother, there's the older brother. Consider it carefully."

Madam Wen spoke casually and lightly.

Li Xian had no particular fondness for the manor. Hearing about the Prefecture City indeed tempted him. However, upon further thought, he was filled with unexpected fear.

He analyzed in his mind:

"What kind of person is Madam? Her influence is selfish. Her decisions must be in her own interest, offering her benefits."

"Her talk of sending me to the Prefecture is certainly tempting. But... how does this benefit her? Investing in me? That's a bit fanciful."

"Thus... for her to speak so nicely, she might just be testing my loyalty. If I express a desire to go to the prefecture, it means my heart isn't here!"

His thought flashed, and he immediately said, "Although Prefecture City is nice, I, Li Xian, prefer to stay at the manor."

"Oh? Why?" Madam Wen asked with interest.

"Commander Pang often says that Madam is a celestial figure, and serving by your side is a great blessing."

Li Xian did not feel ashamed; survival depends on actions, and pride is in one's heart rather than words. "I think Commander Pang is right. I was born in Qingning County, and although I've never been to the Prefecture City, I imagine it's just a bigger town with more people and more hustle and bustle. By comparison, I'd rather stay by Madam's side."

When Madam Wen heard "a celestial figure," it was clearly a compliment on her beauty. Though she didn't feel joy, it was pleasing to hear. Seeing Li Xian's sincere expression, she nodded subtly.

"How old are you this year?" Madam Wen asked.

"Sixteen." Li Xian replied.

"Never left Qingning County?" Madam Wen asked.

"Never been outside!" Li Xian's literary energy was not as strong as his brother's, but he was equally intelligent. "Ah! I did leave once, to Huangyu County."

Madam Wen chuckled, a hundred charms blooming, utterly breathtaking. She said, "You're quite honest."

She examined Li Xian, pondering: "This boy, to me, seems to have a familiar background. He rescued his brother alone, reflecting his nature. Also, his loyalty to me is unwavering, having never ventured into the Jianghu, pure and unexposed to the world."

"The important part is that his younger brother, at over ten years old, managed to gain a wisp of fortune. This Li Xian... might truly be worth cultivating."

Considering various factors, Li Xian was evidently different. In Madam Wen's heart, a nursing home is just a nursing home, and Commander Pang is also just that. With a carrot and stick approach, they were made to work for her endlessly.

There was naturally no deep affection, nor would she consider cultivating them.

But that slender wisp of "fortune" was enough to change many perspectives.

Making certain things subtle.

With "fortune," Madam Wen began to regard Li Xian seriously and noticed these advantages. A slight difference that even Pang Long's lifelong loyalty couldn't achieve.

"Since you do not wish to leave the manor, from today, you are the Commander."

"The day after tomorrow at noon, come to the inner courtyard to see me, and I will teach you a superior martial art."

Wen Caishang was in a good mood.

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