"You two extras didn't perform well just now."

"Young Master, who knew the City Lord would say that suddenly?"

"Hehe, I'm not blaming you, just reminding you to be careful."

"Sometimes a single expression or movement can alert those with ill intentions, and the consequences can be severe."

"If the City Lord is the mastermind and knows the black-robed woman assigned you the assassination task, your behavior just now clearly showed your allegiance to me. How would the City Lord interpret this?"

"Ah! Young Master, now that you mention it, I am indeed in danger."

"You don't need to worry too much. I'm talking about the worst-case scenario."

"Even so, he won't harm you because you are already mine, and he won't easily make a move against me, at least not here."

"Young Master, isn't it dangerous for you to go to the Martial Arts Academy?"

"No matter how dangerous, I must go. We are cultivators. Without the heart to forge ahead and the courage to face danger, we will never become immortals."

"Young Master, we understand. Rest assured, we won't hold you back."

"Prepare yourselves. We don't yet know the situation at the Martial Arts Academy or if we can bring maidservants. If not, you will have to stay here. I will ask the City Lord to let you stay with me forever."

"Even if I go to the Martial Arts Academy and learn ways to enhance our strength, I will come back to teach you."

"Don't worry, Young Master. We are not weak now. At least we can handle those guards."

"Focus on your studies at the academy. We will take care of ourselves."

"Your strength has indeed improved, but I am still worried, especially about that Second Young Master. He has always harbored ill intentions towards Qing'er."

"Such a person won't change even if he hits a wall. In my absence, he will find ways to get to you."

"So be cautious. Be wary of the food in the mansion. Avoid eating if possible, and if you must, take turns eating to ensure one of you stays alert."

"I will find time to bring you food."

"Young Master, it doesn't matter if we eat or not. Even if we don't eat for two or three days, we don't feel hungry. We just want to cultivate."

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"Hehe, you two little gluttons, don't worry. I'll make sure you're well-fed when I return."

"By the way, he might use drugs like aphrodisiacs."

"If he really resorts to such means, pretend to be poisoned simultaneously. He will definitely come."

"Then, catch him off guard and restrain him. As long as he's alive, even if guards are with him, they won't dare to act rashly."

"Do you mean to take him hostage, Young Master?"

"Exactly, a living hostage is valuable. Your original low status might make you hesitate when acting, which is a grave mistake."

"Remember, once you act, don't hold back, or you'll harm both others and yourself."

"We understand."

"Sigh! It would be best if the academy allowed maidservants, saving us trouble, but that's unlikely."

"Indeed, many who go to the academy are from wealthy families. Allowing servants would cause chaos."

"I hope to find cultivation materials soon to quickly enhance our strength."

"You will succeed, Young Master," the two women said in unison.

Huang Ye smiled wryly. He wanted success too, but it was too difficult. The techniques calculated by the System were too risky to practice now.

He could only continue familiarizing himself with the first three layers of techniques, making minor improvements at most. Without cultivation techniques as a reference, he dared not attempt major changes.

He had tried practicing the fourth layer before but gave up due to poor results.

"Come on, let's continue cultivating!"

The three continued their practice together.

Seven days later, Huang Ye called Steward Wu and asked him to inform the City Lord that he had recovered and wished to study at the Martial Arts Academy.

The City Lord's efficiency was unquestionable. That afternoon, Huang Ye received a notice from the Martial Arts Academy to report the next day.

As expected, the enrollment instructions mentioned that servants and maidservants were not allowed in the academy.

News of Huang Ye going to the Martial Arts Academy quickly spread among the various factions in the mansion.

These factions immediately became busy, starting to devise plans targeting Huang Ye.

Huang Ye didn't bother to investigate; it was pointless with so many involved.

The only way was to treat everyone as an enemy and be on guard.

Before leaving, Huang Ye paid a visit to the First Madam.

Seeing this elegant and noble woman, Huang Ye thought to himself that she had maintained herself well.

She must be over fifty, yet she looked no more than thirty.

Her delicate face, slightly plump figure, and dignified appearance exuded an extraordinary aura.

The only flaw was her slightly upturned eyes, giving her a somewhat seductive look.

But there was something strange about her; when she looked at him, a glint appeared in her eyes.

The glint carried a hint of greed and allure. Damn, could this old woman be...

It seemed the First Madam's background was not simple. Giving birth to a chosen one was no coincidence.

The First Madam was also taken aback seeing Huang Ye, not expecting the adopted son who became foolish seven years ago to regain his handsome demeanor.

Two years ago, he was still crooked and slanted. How could he change so drastically?

Huang Ye explained his intentions to the First Madam.

The First Madam pondered for a moment.

"I understand your thoughts. Qing'er has always been with you, so she can stay in your courtyard."

"But that small courtyard only needs one maid. Let's transfer Yue'er to Jiang'er's place first."

"When you return, I'll arrange a new maid for you."

Jiang'er was his so-called Second Brother, whose full name was Wu Jiang, and Huang Ye naturally couldn't agree.

"Madam, according to the mansion's rules, Yue'er should be transferred."

"However, Yue'er has already shared a room with me. She is officially my maid, so transferring her to Second Brother would be inappropriate."

"Oh! Yue'er has shared a room with you?"

"Yes, both Qing'er and Yue'er have shared a room with me, and I don't plan to take any other maids."

"Father told me that the Huang family has some legacy businesses he wants to hand over to me, but I'm not interested in commerce."

"I've already told Father that he should manage the businesses, and I just want to focus on martial arts. The Huang family's businesses should be enough to support the two of them, so I ask for your understanding."

"Hehe, Ye'er, there's no need to be so formal. We took you in as a son, so we're family, and there's no such thing as whose business it is."

"Since Yue'er has shared a room with you and is no longer a virgin, it's indeed unsuitable to send her elsewhere."

"Both she and Qing'er can stay with you. If they become pregnant, they can be taken as concubines."

Seeing that his goal was achieved and he had asserted his claim over Qing'er and Yue'er, Huang Ye didn't want to linger.

The First Madam's gaze had a wolfish hunger, like a big bad wolf eyeing a little white rabbit, making him uncomfortable.

Though there was no blood relation, they were a generation apart, and being coveted by this old woman was certainly not a good thing.

"Madam, you are wise. In that case, I shall take my leave."

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. I have more to say to you," the First Madam said in a soft, alluring voice.