The Awakening and the Unconventional Bargain

The long sound of the bell echoed over the Hall of Clarity.

Lin Mo struggled to open his heavy eyelids, feeling no refreshment at all, only waves of pain.

Sleep had been far too scarce.

Rising at this moment felt like an exquisite torture. His body seemed bound to the bed by invisible chains, and every attempt to stir felt like a violent tug on his spine, threatening to yank him back down, forcing him into an unwilling union with the mattress.

Yet, a powerful will to survive ultimately triumphed over the siren call of slumber.

He pushed himself up, groaning, and reached for his token. His own name, previously etched upon it, had now faded, replaced by a line of small script:

[The first bell signals awakening, the second bell marks lecture time, and the third bell signifies dismissal. The second bell will ring in two hours.]

This initial peal was indeed the wake-up call, rousing everyone from their sleep.

Only after confirming his state and attire from within the warmth of his quilt did Lin Mo finally feel at ease enough to leave the bed.

Ji Xue remained utterly still, curled in the same position she had held all night, her faint snores rising and falling rhythmically in the soft morning light.

Though the bells continued to peal without cease, she seemed oblivious, pulling the quilt directly over her head and softly murmuring in her sleep: “…I don’t want to get up…I want to sleep more…”

While he had initially found cohabiting with Ji Xue exasperating, upon reflection, Lin Mo revised his opinion, realizing he owed the Princess an apology.

Gazing at her ‘snake demon face,’ he felt no trace of impure thoughts, nor did he have to worry about his morning erection being witnessed by this sleepyhead.

Even more, infinitely more importantly—there was money to be made!

Money! That was the crux of the matter!

Simply smoothing out her quilt earned him thirty spirit stones! He could casually make someone’s thirty years’ income just by tidying a bed!

Where else could he find such a generous patroness?

‘Sister, I truly apologize for any offense I may have caused before; tonight, let’s definitely get along well!’

The more he looked at Ji Xue, the more agreeable she became. Given her pampered demeanor, wouldn’t she rely on him for everything in the days to come?

Money would simply pour in, wouldn’t it!?

Once the Hall of Clarity sessions concluded, he would be rich!

The little money-grubber, Lin Mo, rubbed the spatial ring with his fingertips, feeling the glowing spirit stones within, and a surge of warmth instantly filled him.

Atop the bedside table, the dark blue spirit stone lay undisturbed, its owner showing no signs of waking.

‘Truly, a Princess who viewed money as mere dirt!’

Lin Mo rose, intending to gently rouse the Princess, hoping to shake her awake.

Lin Mo got out of bed, planning to wake his patron. Should the Princess declare herself hungry, running errands to fetch her meal would surely net him another tidy sum.

What were old grudges or new animosities? Before the dazzling gleam of spirit stones, all could vanish like smoke. He stood to gain no matter what; serving this wealthy woman well was the only righteous path in this world!

Lin Mo approached Ji Xue’s bedside, his fingertips lightly tapping the shoulder bundled tightly in her quilt: “Princess, would you care for breakfast? I shall fetch it for you—”

“Mmm…don’t touch me…just a little more sleep…” a muffled, hoarse protest emerged from the ‘mound’ of blankets.

Lin Mo persisted, leaning closer: “Princess, just give me the word, and I’ll head to the refectory—”

“So annoying!” The quilt violently twitched, and Ji Xue hissed, cutting him off. “I won’t eat! Go away!”

These words poured over Lin Mo like a bucket of ice water, chilling him to the bone! He clutched the spirit stones in his sleeve, his voice instantly rising by eight octaves: “Princess, taking care of your health is paramount. We are still mortals; three meals a day are essential, Princess. You are at an age of growth; you simply cannot skip meals!”

Lin Mo pleaded earnestly, his words, once so aggressive yesterday, now brimming with concern!

Had she not been beaten yesterday, Ji Xue might have almost believed this fellow intended to become her personal nanny.

If not for the faint ache still lingering in her nose, Ji Xue would have almost thought this scoundrel had been possessed by an old imperial nanny.

“Madman!” The brocade quilt was flung back with a crash, revealing her still-swollen nose. “You beat me black and blue yesterday, and now you’re playing the loyal servant this morning? Whether I’m hungry or not is none of your concern! Get lost, you old hag!”

Ji Xue bellowed, then pulled the quilt back over her head.

“Grumble—”

A sudden, unexpected sound instantly shattered the awkward silence.

“Princess~ it’s~ time~ for~ breakfast now~”

“…So annoying!” Ji Xue, her face flushed, erupted in a furious shriek from beneath the covers, then threw off the quilt and sat up. Pointing at Lin Mo’s nose, she cursed: “You insist on being a servant, do you? Fine! Go fetch my breakfast immediately!”

“As you command!” Lin Mo straightened his back, responding promptly, yet his feet remained rooted to the spot.

“Why are you still standing there?!”

“Princess, you see, no reward without merit! But now there is merit, Princess, you should—” He rubbed his fingertips together, producing a crisp ‘tap-tap’ sound. “—surely receive some reward, shouldn’t you?”

Ji Xue stared, a little dumbfounded. She had never lacked avaricious people around her, nor those who flattered her because of her status and wealth.

But no one was quite like this scoundrel!

He practically had ‘I’m after your money’ emblazoned on his forehead, willing to sell the dignity of a Sect Master’s direct disciple for pennies!

Ji Xue felt a headache brewing. She thought of many scathing remarks, yet couldn’t bring herself to utter them, for she sensed that even if she did, they would simply be absorbed like blows against cotton, leaving her utterly powerless!

“…Those spirit stones in the cabinet…if you don’t take them, consider them your errand fee.”

“As you command!”

Lin Mo’s speed was astonishing; he instantly scooped up the spirit stones, then, in a flash, darted out the door.

Ji Xue sensed a ripple of spiritual energy, a clear sign that, having received his payment, this fellow was now exceptionally diligent.

Still, it was fine; such paltry sums were negligible to Ji Xue. Acquiring a money-grubbing follower during the Hall of Clarity sessions wasn’t a bad idea, especially since he was a direct disciple of the Sect Master, ensuring she lost no face—

‘Hmm?’

A sudden flash of inspiration struck her!

A brilliant idea instantly materialized in her mind.

‘This Lin Wan’er is so greedy…couldn’t I…bribe him…and make him listen to me?’

In that case, she could achieve excellent results in the Hall of Clarity! And appear quite impressive outside as well!

Just imagine, a direct disciple of the Sect Master constantly trailing behind her like a shadow, obeying her every command…wouldn’t that be incredibly prestigious?!

As royalty, face was of utmost importance!

If word spread, it might even reach the Imperial Palace, leading her Imperial Mother to view her in a new light!

‘Money, indeed, was a wonderful thing!’

Lin Mo returned swiftly.

Lin Mo stepped through the doorway, carrying a carved red lacquer tray.

‘His posture…quite professional, actually…’ Ji Xue couldn’t help but inwardly remark.

“Princess, your meal has arrived!” He set the lacquer tray on the low cabinet, and the act of lifting the lid released a wave of sweet, warm fragrance—

“Princess, this is Seven-Treasure Spirit Rice Porridge!”

Ji Xue’s eyes lit up as she gazed at the porridge in the bowl. She had expected the food of the Xuan Nv Sect to be rather bland, but to her surprise, this bowl of porridge had been cooked thick and glistening like amber, adorned with fresh meat as translucent as pink crystal, clearly indicating expensive ingredients.

Peony petals floated atop the porridge, making it appear not only delicious but also exuding an air of luxury.

Within the red lacquer tray, the most striking item was a shimmering, iridescent Third-Grade Spirit Bird Egg, its shell faintly adorned with golden patterns.

These were truly exquisite items, worthy of any imperial table, even in the palace.

Ji Xue reached out, intending to snatch the egg and eat it herself—

“Princess!” Lin Mo’s hand shot out like lightning, pressing down on her wrist. “The eggshell hasn’t been peeled yet!”

Immediately afterward, he began to peel the eggshell for her.

Ji Xue looked at him with newfound respect. ‘This fellow…how was he so professional at serving others?’

She began to enjoy her breakfast, savoring the delicious meal.

‘Was this only available at the Hall of Clarity? The usual refectory certainly didn’t offer anything this delectable.’

Burying her head, she devoured the meal ravenously, finishing it in short order.

“Princess~ have~ you~ finished~ your~ meal~? Then this meal plus errand fee, collecting fifty spirit stones, wouldn’t be too much, would it?”

‘Fifty?’

Ji Xue was somewhat surprised.

Not…surprised by how expensive it was…but rather, by how incredibly cheap!

‘Outside, this bowl of porridge would cost at least a thousand!’

A moment later, Ji Xue suddenly understood.

‘This fellow was greedy…yet seemed utterly ignorant of true value.’

A smile bloomed on Ji Xue’s face; she instantly felt her plan was truly starting to pay off!