Yihetang Manor.

The moon is bright, stars are sparse.

"So it was my brother's fortune that allowed me to be promoted to commander."

After leaving the inner courtyard, Li Xian finally understood the origin.

Ultimately, it was a joyful event.

"Commander Li." Ding Hu awaited in the outer courtyard. Upon seeing Li Xian, he quickly approached.

"How is your injury?" Li Xian looked at his ankle, already wrapped in white cloth, but blood was still slowly oozing out.

"That Hua Hanying struck too hard, the inner qi clung to the wound. I stuffed herbs into the nail holes, yet it's hard to completely stop the bleeding, perhaps spreading some golden healing powder would work." Ding Hu said angrily.

Li Xian had him lift his leg, Ding Hu was puzzled but complied. Li Xian joined two fingers and pointed at the acupuncture point on the leg, transferring inner qi, then gently pushed and kneaded with his hands.

With a "splat" sound, blood spurted from Ding Hu's wound, instantly reddening the white cloth. The pain was intense, but he dared not make a sound.

Li Xian said, "I have already forced out the inner qi for you, apply medicine as usual, and it will scab over in two days."

Ding Hu was immensely grateful, kneeling on one knee, and said, "Commander, your great kindness, Ding Hu will never forget."

"This is no great kindness." Li Xian mused internally, considering that he had just taken up the position of commander and needed assistance with many matters. Ding Hu was quite perceptive, so he decided to make use of him.

"By the way, what happened to Hua Hanying?"

Li Xian walked in the outer courtyard. Now as the commander, he had authority over all the affairs of the outer courtyard. Inside and outside the manor, day and night, he could come and go freely.

"I was just about to tell you about this."

Ding Hu's expression was peculiar, "That Hua Hanying, after becoming commander, was arrogant and couldn't command respect, he had long provoked public anger. He attacked me first, I retaliated, unexpectedly many brothers came to assist me."

"The situation got out of control, in the end... he was beaten to death."

"Dead?" Li Xian was taken aback.

"Please punish me, Commander!" Ding Hu knelt on one knee.

Although Li Xian was the commander, he had to abide by the rules. After pondering for a moment, he said, "It was Hua Hanying who caused trouble first, and your retaliation was in self-defense, I understand that. According to the circumstances, this cannot be blamed on you. But since a life was lost, punishment is necessary."

"I will dock your salary for three months, and after your leg heals, you will receive twenty strokes as a penalty, and this matter will be considered settled."

"Thank you for your mercy, Commander!" Ding Hu couldn't help but feel delighted.

According to the manor's rules, if a fight results in death, the lightest penalty would be permanent expulsion from martial arts, the heaviest would be a beating to death.

Practitioners have vigorous qi and blood, naturally possessing strength and a fierce spirit. Peaceful coexistence is impossible, thus the manor's rules do not prohibit internal fighting, but forbid killing.

"Right, what were you about to say initially?" Li Xian asked.

Ding Hu scratched his head, forgetting the main issue, "Oh, oh, I remember now. Commander Li, you've just returned to the manor today. Now as a commander, naturally, you can't live with the nursing home staff."

"The old living quarters can't accommodate someone of your stature."

"But your courtyard hasn't been chosen or cleaned yet, so isn't there nowhere to live? That's why I couldn't eat or sleep well, waiting here for you, wanting to ask if you would like to stay at Commander Pang's courtyard tonight as a temporary measure?"

"And also tomorrow's arrangements... please inform me tonight, so I can notify the others in advance."

"You're quite considerate." Li Xian nodded, "I'll stay at Commander Pang's courtyard tonight. As for tomorrow's plans..."

"Gather at the Guardian Mansion at dawn. I'll make a brief appearance, as usual."

"Alright! I'll go give instructions right away." Ding Hu took the order and immediately set off.

The manor has a strict hierarchy, oppressing those below layer by layer. But this also leads to those below revering those above as if they were deities.

...

...

Pang Long's courtyard.

The yard was overgrown with weeds, the house had accumulated dust.

Since Pang Long disappeared, few came here. Hua Hanying took over as commander, but out of jealousy over Pang Long's favoritism towards Li Xian, he never came to this place either.

He chose another place to serve as his residence.

The manor is vast with many rooms, and there are more than a dozen areas of useless wasteland and barren forests. The houses left abandoned and unoccupied, even more so, lined up in rows and blocks.

As a commander, naturally there's no worry about food, shelter, clothing, and transportation... he could choose a good place from the options.

"Commander Pang is such a pity, he was about to ascend to 'Food Essence', yet this unfortunate event occurred."

"Unfortunately, this matter has been months, with Hua Hanying dead. Whether Commander Pang's disappearance is related to him can no longer be pursued."

"Let it go with the wind!"

Li Xian sighed softly.

Pang Long's courtyard has a layout of three entrances and three exits, with a bedroom, side rooms, a kitchen, and a bathing room. Li Xian had visited several times before, but only stayed in the outer courtyard.

Now venturing into the room, he realized it was quite large.

"Merely the guardian commander's residence, yet living in such a place. If this house were moved to Qingning County, its value would be truly immeasurable."

"Come to think of it... in past and present life, I seem to never have lived in such a residence."

Li Xian, energetic, strolled around the courtyard leisurely.

In a side room, he found more than ten different types of weapons.

Blades, swords, iron, spears, hammers, whips... everything was there. Pang Long was diligent in martial arts, not only proficient in fists and feet, but also somewhat skilled with various weapons.

"Vibration Force Technique?"

Li Xian found a book.

Vibration Force Technique… Basic Martial Arts. On regular days, Pang Long carried a stone mill on his shoulder, practicing this power skill.

"Now that I am the commander, I may freely choose and practice any basic martial arts in the manor."

"But... can't neglect one and pursue another. If there is even higher martial arts, the focus should be on superior martial arts. Basic martial arts can only be used as pastime and accumulation."

After touring the entire courtyard.

Li Xian calmed his mind, found a spacious area, and began practicing martial arts.

[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +1]

[Jade Palm]

[Skill Level: 20015/24000 Perfection]

He practiced until late at night, then found a clean side room where he made do with resting for the night.

The next day.

At the second quarter of the Hour of the Rabbit.

In the Guardian Mansion, the guardians gathered early, with Ding Hu at the forefront, ordering everyone to line up neatly and keep quiet.

Li Xian had changed his attire, wearing the commander's fitted outfit, clean and bright, with a spirited demeanor. Although he was only sixteen, he was already tall and stood with a straight back.

At this moment, he wore a narrow blade at his left waist and walked over with big strides.

His appearance and demeanor were exceptionally outstanding.

As they say, clothes make the man, and a horse is judged by its saddle. Li Xian's handsome appearance was further highlighted by the commander's uniform, similar in style to a "Flying Fish Suit", making him appear even more gallant and powerful.

"This gentleman is the true commander."

"Oh my, compared to him, Pang Long and Hua Hanying are truly incomparable."

"Some say he's a dragon among men; wherever he goes, he shines. Li Commander is so young yet has already taken the position of commander. From now on, we hundreds must heed his orders."

"It's more than that. The villages and tenant farmers below, when combined, are even greater in number, and our Commander Li's word holds sway."

...

Everyone buzzed with excitement, finding different ways to praise Li Xian.

Zhao Han and others felt complicated emotions but joined in with flattering and agreeable words, striving to compliment him.

"These people are praising me as if there's no one like me in heaven or on earth. In reality, I've just been lucky."

Li Xian remained clear-headed, not taking the flattery to heart.

He always acted decisively and efficiently.

After gathering everyone, he simply informed them of the situation. He wanted everyone to know the new commander had a different face, so they wouldn't mistake him in the future.

He also entrusted a few points of attention and emphasized some rules within the manor.

Then he dismissed everyone — those who should train trained, and those who should practice martial arts did so.

"Ding Hu, stay for a moment." Li Xian called out to Ding Hu.

"Commander Li, just give your command." Ding Hu separated from the training team.

Li Xian said, "Come with me to choose an estate."

Ding Hu, clapping his chest in delight, said, "All right, all right, to be able to serve Commander Li is something I, Ding Hu, could not wish for more."

Within the guardians of the manor, regardless of ranking, speaking auspicious words was a well-practiced ability.

"Once you've made your choice, I'll immediately have people clean it. Within an hour, it'll be spotless and ready for you to move in!" Ding Hu proclaimed as he clapped his chest.

Li Xian nodded, "I already have a place in mind. It won't take long."

During his previous patrols within the manor, he noticed several abandoned estates to the west that were quite good.

So he chose from the west.

The west had fewer people, and the patrol routes rarely passed through that area on regular days. For this reason, the surrounding greenery was lush, presenting a natural and beautiful scenery.

"Ever since this gentleman became a guardian, he's been a recluse, always choosing secluded places."

"This is even better, living in such a remote area, other guardians won't easily find him. In this way, I can grow closer to the commander."

Ding Hu's eyes darted back and forth; despite his rough exterior, he was thoughtful and had his own schemes.

"What do you think of this place?" Li Xian gestured toward an estate.

This estate remained abandoned as if no one had lived here since it was built. The walls were covered with vines and moss, and the weeds were taller than a person, having grown over the wall.

"This gentleman truly knows how to choose a place." Ding Hu's mouth twitched as he inwardly mused, "Such a person indeed has unique vision."

But upon closer inspection, there were many redeeming features.

To the east was a quiet lake, creating a serene and peaceful environment. Looking up, he could see the "Jingxin Tower," and the unique aura from the tower seemed to emanate here.

It imparted a sense of calm and focus.

It seemed that staying here could help one concentrate better.

"Commander, are you certain?" Ding Hu confirmed.

"Indeed." Li Xian nodded.

"Alright!" Ding Hu quickly left.

In no time, his urging voice came, "Hurry up, get a move on. If the commander has nowhere to stay tonight, and it comes down on me, I'll thrash you all!"

Amidst the noise, dozens of servants, along with seven or eight guardians, hurried over.

After seeing Li Xian, without a word, they entered the estate to pull weeds, sweep dust, arrange furnishings, and cut down vines.

Inside and outside the estate, everything was transformed and thoughtfully arranged.

An hour later…

Li Xian's first estate was finally established!

He walked around the estate, finding the scenery delightful and was very satisfied.

"When Commander Pang was here, what were the main responsibilities of the commander role?" Li Xian asked casually.

"I'm not sure." Ding Hu recalled, "Mainly, it was listening to the madam's orders and coordinating with us. On regular days without specific tasks, we would patrol the manor. If the madam had orders, she would also assign us to execute tasks somewhere."

"Alright, I understand now." Li Xian nodded.

Although he had been in the manor for half a year, he had only spent two months there. His understanding wasn't deep, so he asked more to avoid oversights.

For the rest of the half-day, with nothing else to do, Li Xian practiced martial arts in the estate.

[Jade Palm] is one step closer to reaching the peak.

"I wonder what kind of martial arts the madam will teach me."

"Honestly, will the madam truly treat me so well? Commander Pang gave ten years of loyalty, and I never heard he was fortunate enough to learn superior martial arts."

...

...

The day of martial arts transmission arrived in a flash.

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