“So, I want you to train me. And don’t go easy either; push me to my limits and beyond. Consider your debt repaid the day I beat you in a spar.”

…“Understood, Young Master Xian,” she said. “Thank you for your kindness.”

—❈—

My whole life, I’ve never been one for strenuous physical activity.

In fact, before my unprecedented arrival in the body of one Xian Qigang, I was about as fit as your average couch potato. I had flabs for abs, and what constituted a workout for me were the numerous trips I took to the refrigerator to dip my finger in the jar of peanut butter like the gross weirdo I am.

So, why then would someone such as myself ask a soldier to train me and to ‘push me to my limits and beyond’, you might ask.

Well, the answer’s simple.

See, during my bath before coming down here to meet Xiuying, I came to a significant realization; I’m a main character.

Or, at least, I’m well on my way to becoming one.

Honestly, it’s kind of ridiculous that it took me this long to realize it, because I check all the boxes;

Average guy isekai’d to a fantasy world? Check.

Special unique power that gives him an extra advantage? Check.

Surrounded by potential uber-powerful enemies looming in the distance? Check.

The only thing that’s missing at this point is a sudden and recent rise in monster, or demonic, activity in the area, and it’s not too late for that.

Add in the fact that this is a world where one’s peace of mind is all too often directly proportional to how hard you can slap some sense into the average young master, and well… it seems kind of obvious really.

I need training.

Proper training. And based on what I’ve seen of Xiuying, from the way she carries herself to the little Meng Yi has told me about her, I think she’s just the person to give it to me.

Formality over with, Xiuying rises from her kneeling position and returns to her seat, much to my relief. I don’t think having someone kneel and bow to me will ever not be weird.

Her next words though, fill me with significantly less relief.

“We need to get a feel for your current skill level, test your strength and speed, your stamina, all that stuff. You have a training yard in the compound, right?”

I blink at the armoured woman. “Wait, we’re starting right now?”

I mean, I know this was my idea, but seriously, right now?

“Unless you have something else to do?” she asks slowly.

I look to Meng Yi. “Do I?”

Please say yes. Please say yes.

“No, your schedule for the day is wide open, Young Master,” she says, and I don’t miss the twinkle in her eyes.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She can tell that I’m apprehensive about the suddenness of this, and she’s enjoying it.

“Come, I’ll show you to the training ground,” she adds, smiling pleasantly.

We follow Meng Yi’s lead as she rises and heads for the door.

As we leave the room, Fan Si, followed some distance behind by her younger sister, Hai, approaches us.

Si has a resolute expression on her face, but Hai looks distressed and fiddles with her dress nervously.

This does not bode well.

“Manager Meng. Young Master.” Fan Si bows. “There’s been an accident.”

“What happened?” Meng Yi asks.

Si takes an arming breath. “The Yin vase on the second floor hallway, I broke it,” she says.

It’s immediately obvious that she’s lying, and not only because we’re currently on the first floor and she’s the one who’d walked us down to meet Xiuying.

This is obviously a classic case of an older sister trying to cover for the mistake of the younger.

Before Meng Yi can answer, I speak up; “Were you hurt?”

Her shoulders tense at my voice.

“No, Young Master,” she says.

“Okay, then, clean it up,” I say, then I meet Hai’s eyes from where she watches feet away as I add; “And please, be more careful in the future.”

Si looks up at me in surprise, then she spots where my gaze is, and looks to her sister and back to me.

I return my eyes to her.

“Is there anything else?” I ask gently.

She bows again. “No, Young Master. Thank you for your kindness.”

She backs away quickly, grabbing her sister, who stands dumbfounded, by the hand and pulling her along.

I watch them go.

“What happened to the last servant who had an accident?” I ask after a moment, knowing I’ll hate the answer but needing to know all the same.

“I talked you out of cutting off her hand,” Meng Yi says.

I stare at her, knowing there’s more.

“You broke her fingers instead,” she finishes.

I sigh. “Is she okay?” I ask.

Meng Yi nods. “It was over a year ago. She healed.”

‘She healed’.

Two simple words lacking in so much necessary nuance. How well did she heal? Did her fingers regain their previous nimbleness? Does she have emotional trauma?

Most importantly, how much did it cost her to heal?

I sigh again, and Meng Yi places a consoling hand on my shoulder.

“Why does Hai even work here?” I wonder. “I would think with my reputation Si wouldn’t want her sister within a mile of this place.”

“Because, for all your faults you were never miserly,” Meng Yi says. “And they need the money. Their father’s sick.”

“The kind of sick that needs a qi doctor,” Xiuying adds, reminding me of her presence.

I’d honestly forgotten about her for a moment there.

“A qi doctor?” I ask.

“A cultivator with healing techniques,” Meng Yi explains. “They handle the illnesses and injuries that conventional healers can’t.”

“And I’m guessing they charge a lot more,” I say, not at all a question.

Xiuying snorts bitterly. “For work that’s ten times easier for them too,” she says.

I let out yet another exhale. Not a sigh this time, simply an acceptance of reality, and the determination to do something about it.

“Pay for their father’s treatment,” I say to Meng Yi. “And don’t let them know it’s from us.”

“As you command, Young Master,” she says with a small bow.

“Also…” I hesitate.

All this talk of doctors and injuries have brought it to mind, but I’m scared that there’ll be nothing I can do.

“…Chang,” I say finally, deciding to take a leap of faith. “Can these qi doctors help him?”

“I’m sure they can,” Meng Yi says. “Should I arrange for his treatment too?”

I nod at her gratefully.

“Thank you.”

“You know that’s not enough, right?” Xiuying asks, staring at me, and I notice that, for the first time since she showed up here today, she almost meets my eyes.

A small part of me wonders what that’s about. The rest can’t really be bothered to care.

“I would be surprised if it was,” I say honestly, then I walk away, because I don’t want to stand in this hallway thinking these thoughts anymore.