The Perils of Being a Professional Servant

The bell rang twice, and many people could see this magical scene on their way to their respective areas for classes.

Lin Wan’er, the sect leader’s personal disciple, was now serving behind a young girl like a personal maid.

Ever since his death-defying ascent of the steps that day, Lin Mo’s reputation had soared to great heights.

That exquisitely beautiful smile, still radiant amidst such a tragic and wretched state, was a stunning sight, stirring the hearts of countless young maidens like a gentle breeze rippling a calm lake.

However!

Now, this fawning, bowing, and scraping demeanor made it somewhat difficult to reconcile the person before them with the resolute and unyielding Disciple Lin of old.

Lin Mo trailed closely behind Ji Xue, taking small, delicate steps to her left, meticulously avoiding stepping on Ji Xue’s shadow, and respectfully holding an umbrella to shield her from the sun.

A flurry of conjectures arose: Who exactly was this person, to command such deference from the Sect Master’s personal disciple?

Naturally, as everyone’s gazes converged, some sharp-eyed individuals among them recognized Ji Xue’s identity.

“Isn’t that… Her Royal Highness, the Imperial Princess? Could she have subdued Disciple Lin to be her confidant?! I heard that Imperial Princesses of the Immortal Dynasty often travel, seeking out loyal confidants and helpers to support them in their future bid for the throne! Could it be… Disciple Lin has become the Imperial Princess’s confidant?” someone exclaimed.

“What kind of confidant acts so subserviently? They’re clearly being used as a maidservant!”

“I live next door to them. Last night, there were sounds of fighting, and later, crying. Could it be that they had a secret contest last night? And Disciple Lin lost to Princess Ji, crying inconsolably?”

“It must be so! Otherwise, why would a dignified personal disciple of the Sect Master willingly serve as a servant? They must have been defeated and subdued by Princess Ji.”

“Although they are a Sect Master’s disciple, how could the strength of an Imperial Princess of the Immortal Dynasty be underestimated?”

“…How resolute they were that day during the ascent, yet now they grovel…”

“What’s the big deal? It’s merely a show. Didn’t you see the Sect Master herself standing behind her that day, channeling spiritual energy to help her ascend step by step?”

“I… I can’t bring myself to like them anymore…”

A torrent of chatter surged forth, spreading unrestrainedly throughout the main hall.

Ji Xue held her head high and her chest out, fanning herself, burying her triumphant smile behind the fan, as she savored the countless gazes of admiration and astonishment directed her way.

But disdain, like an avalanche, completely buried Lin Mo beneath it.

Listening to the increasingly unbearable comments, Lin Mo’s heart remained undisturbed; there was no shame, no resentment, only an irrepressible joy!

‘Say more!’

‘Spread it further!’

‘Ideally, every disciple of the Hall of Clarity should know!’

He firmly believed in the power of rumors, and that people, no matter which world they belonged to, would add embellishments and exaggerations through word-of-mouth.

‘Turning a minor cold into a terminal illness!’

‘It would be best to completely portray Lin Wan’er as a lowly, despicable, insipid, and superficial personal disciple.’

‘That way, I can maximally mislead the disciples Qing You arranged to target me.’

‘Exactly!’

Besides his greed for money, Lin Mo had another reason: to mislead his opponents.

Qing You wielded immense power within the sect and could certainly arrange for many people to target him in future martial arts sparring sessions, lowering his score.

But before that, countless eyes would undoubtedly be fixed on him, eager to gauge his abilities.

Ji Xue’s words awakened him from a dream; it was only when Ji Xue proposed bribing him to be her personal servant that morning that Lin Mo realized this was the perfect plan to feign weakness!

He had far too many shortcomings; he was completely unaware of others’ skill levels, had only cultivated for a mere month, and possessed too little combat experience. His victory over Ji Xue was purely due to her carelessness and underestimation of him.

Yes, it was Ji Xue’s defeat that made Lin Mo realize how beneficial it was to be underestimated. It wasn’t until the idea of a “bribe” that Lin Mo thought of how to quickly make everyone look down on him!

People’s statuses were divided into various ranks.

If you stand tall, others will respect you; but if you stand tall yet grovel, others will perceive you as easy to bully.

People naturally admire strength. As long as someone is weaker than them, they will look down on them, feel sympathy, or pity.

He didn’t need to deceive those who were monitoring him, or the supervising elders; he only needed to fool the disciples roughly at his own level.

Therefore! At this moment, Lin Mo brought forth his ten years of experience serving Qiu Yue! He was determined to display his full capabilities and serve the wealthy lady well!

After all, the wealthy lady was truly generous with her spending! He only earned ten spirit stones a year, but Ji Xue gave him a hundred in a single day!

Earning ten years’ worth of money in one day! And making enemies underestimate him! Killing two birds with one stone!

Lin Mo was overjoyed!

And wasn’t Ji Xue also?

She had never expected Lin Mo to be so professional! He served her by helping her get up and dress without needing instructions, and brought her toiletries without her even asking. He put on her shoes, made her bed, and held an umbrella as she left!

She merely raised a hand, and he instantly understood!

She wanted rouge, and it was immediately handed to her.

She wanted to put on clothes, and he reached out to help her don them!

She lifted her foot, and her shoes were put on for her!

Except for his eyes, which had been fixed intently on her chest while she changed, making her slightly uncomfortable… everything else was impeccable!

‘Well, naturally~’

Ji Xue glanced back at that barren “land,” letting out a soft sigh.

‘After all, she’s a tomboy, she must envy my own proud and prominent features, right?’

‘It’s natural, nothing to be done about it~’

‘What can you do when you’re just a tomboy~’

“Sister Wan’er… how could you…”

At some unknown point, Liu Ruyan stood at the entrance to Area B.

She had originally intended to find Lin Mo that morning to exchange “good mornings” and go to the main hall together, but upon arriving at Lin Mo’s residence, she found no one.

So she came to the main hall, to await Lin Mo’s appearance.

However, she never expected the sight before her to almost make her eyes pop out.

She completely failed to comprehend why her Sister Wan’er would follow Ji Xue so obsequiously.

“Your friend is here. Deal with it; don’t waste time, Little Linzi.” Ji Xue lightly fanned herself, half-covering her face, her eyebrows arched high, brimming with triumph.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Lin Mo looked up, stepped forward from behind Ji Xue, leaned down, and whispered softly, “Ruyan, Sister will have to accompany Princess Ji from now on, so it will likely be difficult to find time to be with you.”

“Accompany, accompany… by your… side…? Inseparable… even… even bathing together? You won’t… accompany Ruyan anymore?”

‘Huh?’

‘Why are you still thinking about bathing?’

At that moment, Liu Ruyan’s pupils dilated dramatically, and mist suddenly filled her eyes, a blur enveloping her vision.

She bit her lip tightly and began to sob uncontrollably, speaking in broken sentences: “Wan’er… Sister… won’t bathe with me… won’t… accompany me… won’t… want me anymore…”

‘…Huh?’

“Sister didn’t say that…” Lin Mo was utterly baffled.

‘And why does not bathing with you mean I don’t want you?!’

“You… you’re going to bathe with that woman now…Sniff~…” Liu Ruyan spun around abruptly, a few clear tears falling and hitting the ground, then stumbled away, rushing into Area A.

‘I didn’t say that!?’

‘This girl… what kind of thought process does she have?’

‘Could it be that… this bathing together… symbolizes something important? Is not going like rejecting something?’

“Hey…” Ji Xue stood behind him, still half-covering her face with her fan, her gaze, however, revealing a mix of complexity and disgust. “I didn’t tell you to make her cry… And… I won’t be bathing with you…”

‘I damn well don’t want to bathe with you either!’

‘Wait!’

‘Can’t I just bathe by myself?!’

“Wow… she made Disciple Liu cry… They say she’s fickle… and got together with Princess Ji for money…”

“I never thought Disciple Lin was such a fickle person…”

“Pah, what a scumbag…”

The chatter resumed.

“‘Disciple Lin likes to trick people into bathing with them…”

“‘Did you hear, about Disciple Lin and Disciple Liu…”

“‘Are they even human?! How old is Disciple Liu?'”

“‘They say she’s only sixteen! Disciple Lin actually has such a hobby…'”

All sorts of disdainful and disgusted gazes gradually began to fall upon him.

But this wasn’t the kind of disdain Lin Mo wanted…

‘He only wanted to be a weakling… He damn well didn’t want to be a female pervert!’