As the sun rose and set, days slipped through my fingers like sand, turning into weeks and before I knew it, an entire month had passed. During this time, Chen's siblings and I had to set up tents in the garden while Master Fu and his skilled men worked tirelessly to fix up the house. Their efforts paid off as the once dilapidated dwelling was now restored to its former glory, pristine and beautiful.

As the workmen packed up their tools and left, I couldn't resist the urge to explore every nook and cranny of the house. I surveyed it from every angle possible, admiring the craftsmanship and attention to detail. Though I had to admit, albeit begrudgingly, that those craftsmen truly knew their stuff. The repairs were flawless, and the house was now fully fit for its new purpose.

I made sure to inspect every room, testing the sturdiness of the floors and walls, and checking the locks on the windows and doors. After ensuring that everything was in order, I finally settled down in the main hall to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

I had to admit that the house looked stunning, it was like a new place, and I felt proud of what we had accomplished. The interior had a calming effect on me and I could feel the positive energy of the house. I knew this was going to be a good home, a place where I could focus on my cultivation and build my army of Daoists.

I stood there quietly, taking in the sight before me. The new house radiated with a sense of renewed life and possibility. It was a blank canvas, ready to be filled with memories and stories yet to be written. I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead in this new chapter of my life. With a grateful heart, I observed the transformed house, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me.

"Young master Lin" Chen Long called out to me from the doorway, turning to face the man I found He wasn't alone behind stood a young and a young woman in traditional Tsing Yi clothes. from what I could glean from the duo's body language they were a couple, and judging by the way their gaze fell upon each other they had been together long enough to share the same space together.

The young man was a handsome and refined-looking person, had straight black hair reaching his waist, while the girl had long and light brown hair tied neatly into a simple bun behind her head, and wore plain white clothes made of cotton with long sleeves tucked into her belt, she too had a round shape and a delicate face.

"Young master Lin" Chen Long said," these are the two l told you about " he gestured towards them "This is brother Wang Cheng" Chen Long continued, "This young lady is Li Yichen," The couple then proceeded to bow to me while I looked at Chen long confused,

Okay, and I still don't know them or Why they were here

why would this dude bring people to me and introduce them like I know them or something?

Wait do I know them?

No never seen the duo before in my two lives

So what were they doing here?

Chen Long's face was beaming with pride as he presented the couple, but I was utterly clueless about what was happening. I couldn't remember assigning any tasks to Chen Long that involved inviting strangers to the house. But alas, my super memory seemed to have failed me once again.

Trying not to let my confusion show, I decided to play along and greet the couple with a polite smile. However, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation towards Chen Long for putting me in this awkward situation.

As Li Yichen and Wang Cheng bowed respectfully, I returned the gesture, trying my best to keep my composure. Li Yichen then stood next to Wang Cheng, both of them looking around the house with interest. Meanwhile, Chen Long still had that stupid grin on his face, oblivious to my confusion.

I took a deep breath and decided to take control of the situation. "Welcome," I said to Wang Cheng and Li Yichen, trying my best to sound composed. "I apologize for the confusion, but I believe there might be some misunderstanding. I don't recall expecting any guests. Chen Long, could you please clarify why you brought them here?" I asked, hoping for an explanation from him.

Chen Long's grin faltered slightly, and he scratched his head sheepishly. "Ah, my apologies, young master Lin. I must have misunderstood your instructions. Brother Wang Cheng and Li Yichen were looking for you, seeking your guidance on a matter of great importance."

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I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Is that so? Well, in that case, I'm glad to meet you both." I turned towards Brother Wang Cheng and Li Yichen. "Please, have a seat and tell me more about what brings you here."

The couple exchanged a glance before Wang Cheng spoke up. "We heard from Brother Chen that the young master is looking for protectors "Li Yichen nodded and added "And we hope that you can accept the position?"

My eyebrows furrowed, Protectors? oh..... yes didn't I tell Chen Long to look for a group of trusted people to work at the mansion as helpers, cooks, and guards, it seems that Chen Long actually went and got the people,

I nodded, finally understanding the situation. "Ah, I see. Yes, I am indeed in need of reliable help to ensure the safety and smooth running of the mansion. I appreciate your interest in the position." I gestured towards the stone chairs around the table that had been recently placed there, at first the trio where confused by the western seating arrangement but after seeing me the trio to took their respective seats after we all took our seats, I waved my hand for theatrics and placed jars of tea and cups from my Storage ring

"Please tell me more about yourselves and what you can bring to this position?"

Wang Cheng spoke first, his voice calm and composed. "I am a body cultivator, currently at the 7th stage of Qi refinement. I have extensive experience in combat and defense, and I have served as a Guard for several wealthy families in the past. My skills include martial arts, weapon handling, and protection techniques."

I nodded, impressed by his credentials. Body cultivators were known for their formidable physical strength and resilience, making them excellent in combat and defense. "That sounds promising. And what about you, Miss Li Yichen?"

Li Yichen's eyes sparkled as she spoke. "I am a sword cultivator, currently at the 4th stage of Qi refinement. I have trained in various sword techniques and have won several martial arts competitions. I am also proficient in formation spells and can assist in protecting the mansion with my sword skills."

As I nodded again, my curiosity was piqued by the remarkable capabilities of the duo before me. The sword cultivator was renowned for her unparalleled combat prowess, and on top of that, she was a Formation master. But something didn't add up. Why would such promising young cultivators approach me? After all, the guy boasted about being a guard for wealthy families. Yet here he was, offering to join me as a protector. I couldn't help but silently ponder, trying to piece together the puzzle, but it remained elusive.

"Well then," I said with a forced smile, trying to hide my unease,

"Impressive indeed," I remarked with a smile.

"It's clear that both of you possess unique skills that could greatly benefit the security of my mansion. I would be honored to have you in my household However, I must admit, I'm a bit apprehensive about having such powerful practitioners by my side. To be honest, I'm not sure why you would come to me for such a humble position when more powerful factions would gladly welcome you with open arms and offer you abundant resources. Why, may I ask, did you choose to come to me?" I inquired, noticing the worried exchange of glances between the duo, before Li Yichen spoke up, her eyes shining with determination.

"Brother Cheng and I discussed this at length before approaching you," she began. "We didn't want to enter a large, powerful organization where we would be reduced to mere servants or third-rate members, forced into menial labor for the faction's benefit. We wanted to find a place where our skills would be recognized and appreciated, where we could contribute meaningfully and have the freedom to pursue our own goals."

Wang Cheng nodded in agreement. "That's right. We heard about your reputation, and how you value the skills and talents of those who serve you. We were drawn to your offer because we saw it as an opportunity to join a household where we would be treated with respect and have the autonomy to use our abilities to the fullest."

I listened attentively, touched by their acting skills I was not born yesterday first It was clear that they were seeking a chicken to borrow to lay eggs for them, and my mansion seemed to offer just that, Second I had no reputation on which a person can base his or judgment but even after listening to them a sense of relief washed over me, realizing that their intentions were aligned with my own, at least for now.

"I understand," I said with a smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie with them. "I appreciate your honesty and I am honored that you have chosen to join me. Rest assured, in my household, your skills and contributions will be valued, and you will have the freedom to pursue your own aspirations. Together, we can create a formidable team to safeguard my mansion."

Li Yichen and Wang Cheng exchanged relieved smiles, and I could see the worry dissipate from their eyes. It was clear that my offer resonated with them. With renewed excitement, we began discussing plans and strategies to strengthen the mansion's defenses, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unique skills and perspectives that Li Yichen and Wang Cheng brought to the table.

That allowed me to spot the defense deficiencies in my mansion, first thing I needed to rectify those deficiencies, was to lay down a defensive formation, for that I needed to visit the Jangman hall to purchase one, I knew that I could have Li Yichen, our new protector, create one for us with her formidable skills, but I couldn't shake off my skepticism about entrusting every aspect of my security to complete strangers, no matter how capable they were, just yet. Maybe after a few years when a trusted bond is established between us, After assigning accommodation, stipend, and duties for my protectors I left for the Jangman hall along with my two new guards since they too needed to ign a contract with me.