Otherworldly Desert Dust

Chapter 331 - 286: Promoted to Plaything

Upon receiving the Monkey Jade, it became a token in exchange for his own life.

Wu Hen mounted Ruan Muhuan’s horse and together they headed for Zeng Mansion.

Prefecture City was bustling, populated with many martial artists, yet its structure was rather simple.

A group of powerful martial artists surrounded a group of warrior elites, and countless civilians served those powerful warriors and elites.

In a world that revered martial arts, aside from basic necessities such as clothing, food, shelter, and transportation, everything else revolved around the True Martial.

"After becoming a martial master, you can receive such a token," Ruan Muhuan said. "With this status, you can travel to any Prefecture City. Otherwise, civilians aren’t permitted to enter cities at will."

Knowing that Wu Hen was clueless about martial arts and uninterested in matters related to martial artists, Ruan Muhuan took the time to explain these circumstances to him.

"Being a martial master is like stepping out of the common populace and starting as a superior being," Wu Hen nodded.

"You’re a wanted man now. It’s better to stay under the radar until you get Mrs. Zeng’s token of amnesty. Otherwise, boasting in public could easily lead to being surrounded by bounty-seeking martial artists," Ruan Muhuan said.

Wu Hen pulled his hat brim down a bit lower.

The Prefecture City was crowded, mostly with horse-riders. The horses of the True Martial Continent were different. Some were normal wild horses that had been tamed, much like the robust steeds raised at home, but there were also horses with armor-like tough skin, known as Horned Horses, which belonged to the war horses category. There were also Spirit Dark Horses whose manes were like flames, like lightning tassels, leaving frost marks whenever their iron hooves struck the ground…

Ruan Muhuan, being a poor martial artist, naturally only rode the most common tamed wild horse. Fortunately, the broad back of the wild horse wasn’t too crowded for two riders.

Upon arrival at Zeng Mansion, Ruan Muhuan circumvented the main gate and entered through a narrow side entrance.

This was similar to the ancient customs observed by nobles at their front gates. After all, the hierarchy among martial artists was strict, and people of different status had all kinds of rules set by their subordinates. These rules were initially for the comfort of their masters, but gradually, as power devolved, those who had knelt for too long began to harbor the desire to have others kneel before them, creating more and more rules and dividing people into increasingly layered classes.

It was apparent that Ruan Muhuan’s status at Zeng Mansion was not high, being one of those who served Mrs. Zeng.

"After the siesta, you may enter the garden," the guard said. "When the lady personally tends to the flowers, then you may present the treasure."

The two waited from morning until afternoon, their stomachs growling with hunger.

Without permission to take shelter under the eaves, and as the rain grew heavier, the two, clad in but a single straw raincoat, had no choice but to keep waiting at the gate, the chill creeping into their bones, bringing a sharp, needle-like sting as their bodies began to stiffen and ache.

Finally, as evening approached, the guard summoned them to enter.

They were led to a clean, fine-mud flower field. Wu Hen saw many young girls, around twelve or thirteen years old, washing impurities out of the brought-in soil, sieving it to get fresh, clean earth for the flowerbeds, basket by basket…

In the flower field was a lady, seemingly dressed simply yet exuding elegance, planting the flowers herself. The soil beneath her feet was as clean as the white sand of Dream Island.

"I heard you’ve acquired the Monkey Jade?" Mrs. Zeng asked, with a very kind and easygoing appearance, yet her languid and unique tone still conveyed an air of "extraordinary."

"Yes, Madam," Ruan Muhuan stepped forward.

Just as she was about to present it, Mrs. Zeng’s brows furrowed.

Ruan Muhuan immediately realized something and quickly stepped back, then looked down at her shoes, which were covered with the dirt and mud from their travels, soiling Mrs. Zeng’s pristine earth.

Before Mrs. Zeng could reprimand her, Ruan Muhuan raised her palm and gave herself a resounding slap, saying, "I was overeager, Madam. Please forgive me."

"Oh, Muhuan," Mrs. Zeng exclaimed. "There was no need for that. I wasn’t faulting you. It’s just some soil." She smiled, showing a generous demeanor.

But Ruan Muhuan didn’t see it that way. If she didn’t punish herself promptly, she might not be able to keep her legs.

She bowed there on the spot and presented the wrapped Monkey Jade.

A maid held up an umbrella, but it was only to shelter the jade.

Mrs. Zeng walked over, looked at it from a short distance, then asked, "How was this jade formed?"

Mrs. Zeng had only heard some old Jianghu folks mention it, feeling it was a curious object, so she had her subordinates look for it.

"Replying to..." Ruan Muhuan was about to reveal the truth when she was interrupted by Wu Hen’s voice, which resonated firmly.

"Replying to Madam," Wu Hen said, "there is one in ten thousand among the Monkey Clan called the Jade Monkey, whose birth requires the gathering of eight types of spiritual charm including heaven, earth, sun, moon, mountains, rivers, thunder, and clouds. After birth, they are as rare as jade throughout their bodies. However, these jade monkeys are extremely fragile and prone to early death. When such a spiritual monkey dies young, its mother will not abandon it but rather continues to nurture it. After twenty years of nourishment from the Monkey Mother’s essence qi and spiritual liquid, a Monkey Jade is born."

Mrs. Zeng’s face clearly showed a hint of surprise.

She had thought it was just a special jade, not expecting its origin to be so unique.

"Excellent," said Mrs. Zeng, nodding. "I will accept this jade."

The maid immediately took the Monkey Jade from Ruan Muhuan’s hands.

"Tell me what you want. Do you want to seek an official position, or do you need me to bestow something upon you?" Mrs. Zeng was straightforward—if someone did a deed for her, she had a reward for them.

"Madam, this is Lu Yun, the Young City Lord of Ya City. He offended Jiang Jiutao, escaped the execution ground, and is now a fugitive. I hope Madam would be gracious enough to absolve him of his punishment," Ruan Muhuan said.

"Of course," Mrs. Zeng agreed readily and signaled a servant, who immediately noted it down.

"Thank you, Madam!" Ruan Muhuan bowed in gratitude.

Knowing that Mrs. Zeng’s time was precious, and having completed their offering, Ruan Muhuan immediately sought to leave.

"There’s one more thing I’d like to discuss with you," Mrs. Zeng called Ruan Muhuan back.

"Madam, please speak."

"Second Young Master is in need of a maid who knows martial arts. I see that you have developed a Qi Stream, tidy up and go serve him," Mrs. Zeng said.

Ruan Muhuan was stunned for a moment.

She was clearly aware of who the Zeng Family’s Second Young Master was, and a flash of reluctance crossed her face.

"Thank... thank you, Madam. I will get ready now," said Ruan Muhuan, who dared not hesitate for too long and immediately responded.

"After you’re ready, you’ll need to be examined to confirm if you’re still a virgin," continued Mrs. Zeng.

Ruan Muhuan nodded but didn’t dare utter even a single word of refusal.

"That’s even better. Take some money, buy yourself some decent clothes. The Second Young Master will return in three months; learn some proper manners by then," Mrs. Zeng waved her hand dismissively.

With the reward money in hand and a pardon token, the two of them left Zeng Mansion.

Upon leaving the Zeng Mansion, Ruan Muhuan’s gaze seemed even more vacant.

She had thought that becoming a martial master would grant her autonomy in many matters, yet now she realized she was only qualified to become these people’s plaything.

"Three months until their Second Young Master returns, which leaves us a fair amount of time," Wu Hen said.

"What, are you planning on poisoning Mrs. Zeng?" Ruan Muhuan let out a sorrowful laugh, not understanding why he would say such a thing.

"I won’t let you become another’s loved maid," Wu Hen said.

"This is my fate; you don’t have to feel sorry for me. Compared to those women who are ravaged by beasts just for a bite to eat, I am already very lucky," Ruan Muhuan said flatly.

She was unwilling and angry about such matters but not shocked.

However, Ruan Muhuan’s calm only made Wu Hen feel more heartache.

No matter what, he had to make Ruan Muhuan more powerful as soon as possible, to become an unparalleled Empress of the True Martial Continent!

"Gurgle~"

An inopportune noise came from her lower abdomen, causing Ruan Muhuan to shyly turn her face away.

"Let’s go eat something good," Wu Hen said.

"Okay!" Ruan Muhuan nodded.

They had a sum of reward money, which meant they could treat themselves to a feast in a high-class restaurant.

...

The building floated in the drizzle, slightly cool.

Enjoy new adventures from NovelBin.Côm

Warming the wine, Wu Hen and Ruan Muhuan drank together.

Ruan Muhuan ordered quite a bit of alcohol, seemingly intending to get herself drunk.

Being powerless had already become the norm for her; Ruan Muhuan did not concern herself with what would happen three months later, just as the once-pardoned noble who had nothing to lose would in a few months lose his city and become destitute.

"Learning the Breathing Skill you taught makes me feel hungry often," Ruan Muhuan said.

"Of course, Spiritual Energy is marrow-cleansing. Advancement always requires energy intake, and your appetite will grow as you progress, unless you eat higher-grade food," Wu Hen said.

"I feel my Cultivation is trending upward again," Ruan Muhuan said.

"Above martial master is the Wu Family. If you break through within three months, you will be free and at ease, won’t you?" Wu Hen said.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but when Ruan Muhuan heard what Wu Hen said, she laughed radiantly, shedding her usual lonely and indifferent demeanor. Wu Hen noticed for the first time; Ruan Muhuan’s bright eyes and white teeth, rosy skin underneath, the female knight indeed looked good, no wonder Mrs. Zeng sent her to serve her own son.

It was clear Mrs. Zeng had planned this out beforehand, selecting a loyal, obedient girl with potential. Though designated as a close maid to the Second Young Master, she was essentially serving Mrs. Zeng, monitoring everything.

Thus, Ruan Muhuan also knew her status had risen, and from now on, as long as she satisfied her two masters, all others would need to respectfully address her as Lord Ruan.

"What’s wrong, don’t believe I can help you break through your Cultivation again?" Wu Hen asked with a smile.

"Relying on that Martial God from your dreams?" Ruan Muhuan did not argue but also smiled.

"Not entirely."

"Fine, I trust you; I am in your care for these coming months," Ruan Muhuan said, and as she spoke, she became drowsy with drunkenness, slumping over the table.

She rested on her arm, half her face peeking out, mumbling something indistinctly.

Wu Hen watched her.

At her age, she should have been just starting college, but she had already been through many hardships, and her eyes lacked any naive or romantic luster. It was only under the influence of alcohol that she showed a trace...

Thinking back to the slap she had given him not long ago, Wu Hen couldn’t help but reach out, while her senses were blurred, brushed her slightly swollen cheek and muttered to himself, "Don’t worry, from now on you won’t have to humble yourself like this."