As the morning sun climbed higher in the sky, Long Yuan and Old Man Ding finished setting up their stall just outside the gate of the Li mansion, where the registration for new servants would soon be held. The stall was simple but effective—a wooden table covered with a cloth, with stacks of guides neatly arranged. Each guide displayed an alluring portrait of Miss Li on its cover, along with the title: "How to Win the Heart of Miss Li." The bold words practically dared anyone to walk by without giving it a second glance.
Long Yuan took a step back to inspect the stall, making sure everything was in perfect order. "Remember, Uncle Ding," he said in a low voice, "not a word about my involvement. You're the face behind this. I’m just another participant, nothing more."
Old Man Ding nodded, his eyes twinkling with understanding. "Rest assured, young master. I know how to keep a secret."
With everything set, Long Yuan walked towards the registration area. It was still early, and only a few people had gathered. Among them was Zhong Yan, the young man he had met earlier. As soon as Zhong Yan spotted Long Yuan, he strode over with a look of curiosity.
"Young brother," Zhong Yan greeted him, "I went to find that old man you spoke of. Is he truly here, or was it just a ruse?"
Long Yuan's lips curled into a faint smile. "You arrived at just the right time. He’s right by the gate, and the guides are selling fast. If you don’t hurry, you might miss your chance. Once the crowd arrives, they’ll be gone in no time."
Zhong Yan's expression shifted from suspicion to urgency. Without another word, he rushed toward the gate, determined not to miss out on what he believed to be a valuable opportunity.
---
As noon approached, the number of young men arriving at the registration area grew steadily. Many clutched the guides they had purchased, while others shared the contents in hushed whispers, discussing their chances of impressing Miss Li. It wasn’t long before groups of participants could be seen poring over the guides, commenting on the portrait.
"This drawing is almost too realistic," one young man remarked, his eyes widening with awe. "Could it be that the artist actually met Miss Li?"
"It certainly looks that way," another added. "If this information is accurate, it might give us an edge."
Long Yuan watched from a distance, his expression calm and composed. He took pleasure in seeing how invested the young men had become. The guides, filled with little more than rumors and gossip, were being treated like gold.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the gate. The noise quickly escalated as a group of young men began to argue loudly, their voices rising in a heated dispute. Long Yuan's attention snapped towards the disturbance, and he made his way over, curious to see what was happening.
In the midst of the fray was Old Man Ding, holding the very last copy of the guide while two men tugged at it from either side.
"I was here first! Let go!" one young man shouted, his face flushed with anger.
"Not a chance! I've been searching all morning, and I’m not leaving without it!" the other retorted, pulling just as hard.
Old Man Ding looked flustered, trying to maintain his grip on the guide. "Gentlemen, please! There's no need for this. We can settle this matter peacefully."
Long Yuan saw an opportunity and stepped forward with an air of authority that quieted the surrounding crowd. "Gentlemen, fighting over a book outside the Li mansion? You risk disgracing yourselves before you’ve even had a chance to register."
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The two young men released their hold on the guide, their expressions a mix of embarrassment and frustration. The surrounding onlookers murmured in agreement, the tension defusing as they waited to see what would happen next.
Old Man Ding, sensing the opportunity, and got what Long Yuan would do if he were him quickly raised the guide above his head. "Since there’s only one copy left," he announced, "it seems we have no choice but to auction it off to the highest bidder."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Someone immediately called out, "I’ll offer twelve silver coins for it!"
"Twenty!" another voice shot back.
The bids climbed higher and higher as eager young men tried to outdo one another. "Thirty!" "Thirty-five!" The bidding war continued until, at last, one determined young man shouted, "Fifty silver coins!"
A collective gasp went through the crowd. At that price, it was clear no one else would dare bid higher. Old Man Ding quickly handed the guide to the victorious bidder, who clutched it triumphantly while the crowd buzzed with excitement.
Long Yuan watched the entire spectacle unfold with a satisfied smile. The silver coins jingled in Old Man Ding’s money pouch, a sweet sound that spoke of their success.
---
With the last guide sold, Long Yuan left Old Man Ding to count the earnings while he returned to the registration area. By this time, the crowd had grown even larger, filling the courtyard with noise and anticipation.
A hush fell over the crowd as an elder of the Li Family stepped onto a raised platform. He was an imposing figure, with a long white beard and a gaze as sharp as a sword. Elder Gong, as he was known, exuded an aura of authority that commanded immediate attention. He swept his gaze over the crowd, his deep voice cutting through the noise.
"Young men of the Dragon Kingdom," he began, "welcome to the Li Family's recruitment. You are gathered here today for an opportunity to serve one of the most respected families in this land. However, do not think that entry into our household will be easily earned."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "To be considered, you must first meet the basic criteria: all applicants must be younger than thirty years of age. Those who meet this requirement may proceed to enter their names and age on the registration scrolls."
The young men immediately began to line up, eager to record their information. As they queued, Elder Gong continued to speak.
"Once you have registered, you will face three tests," he announced, his tone unyielding. "The first test will assess your knowledge of culture and etiquette, for a servant of the Li Family must not only be skilled in martial arts but also cultured and refined."
A murmur spread through the crowd, some of the young men exchanging anxious glances. The requirements were already sounding more daunting than they had expected.
"The second test," Elder Gong continued, "will measure your martial arts talent. It is not necessary for you to be powerful cultivators, but you must at least demonstrate potential. The Li Family has no use for those who lack the talent for martial cultivation."
Long Yuan's ears perked up at this. He had some MMA training in his past life, but in this world, it would all come down to how well he could adapt and demonstrate his skills.
"And lastly," Elder Gong said, "there will be a personal interview with one of the Li Family’s elders. During this interview, your character and intentions will be assessed. Those who pass all three tests will be offered positions as intern butlers within the mansion."
As Elder Gong concluded his speech, the young men’s expressions shifted from excitement to determination. It was clear that many of them had not anticipated the difficulty of the tests, but for Long Yuan, this was all part of his plan. He had already set himself apart with the guide scheme; now, he needed to prove that he could back up his cleverness with actual skill.
---
With the registration underway, Long Yuan returned to the stall where Old Man Ding was counting the pile of silver coins they had earned from the guide sales. The old man looked up as Long Yuan approached, his face lighting up with a broad grin.
"We made quite the profit today, young master!" Old Man Ding exclaimed. "The guides practically flew off the shelves, and the auction for the last one was a real spectacle."
Long Yuan chuckled, giving a nod of approval. "Good work, Uncle Ding. But remember, this was only the beginning. The real test is yet to come. Now, let’s go and make our mark in this registration."
Old Man Ding quickly packed up their things, and as they moved towards the registration area, Long Yuan's mind raced with strategies for the upcoming tests. He had already outsmarted the competition once; now, he would show them that he was not just a clever merchant but a formidable candidate.
The day’s events had given him confidence, but he knew he could not rely on tricks alone. If he truly wanted to rise in the Li Family, he would have to excel in every challenge put before him.