The middle-aged man pointed at Lin Xuan Qi, narrowed his eyes and said, "Who sent you and why are you here?"
He took a step forward.
The disciples also did the same.
"Master Xin, let me handle him." One of the disciples cracked his knuckles and said.
Lin Xuan Qi quickly waved his hands trying to let them know his intent.
"Huh. You must be from the Wolf Fang Martial Hall in Yi City. You are here to challenge me to a death duel?"
The middle-aged man, Master Xin, said and his finger pointing at Lin Xuan Qi clenched back and his hand turned into a fist.
Lin Xuan Qi frowned and pondered for a moment.
Why was this middle-aged man accusing him of being a member of the Wolf Fang Martial Hall?
Were they expecting someone? It couldn't be that coincidental.
It didn't make any sense.
Unless...
Lin Xuan Qi then bowed to Master Xin and said, "I'm here to seek someone suitable to be the security chief for my master's mansion."
Master Xin saw Lin Xuan Qi's reaction, nodded his head and opened his fist, using his hand to resume his beard stroking.
"You are calm and cool-headed. Rare to see someone see through it." Master Xin said and came up to Lin Xuan Qi.
He scanned Lin Xuan Qi from head to toe.
The more he looked, the more he would have loved to bring Lin Xuan Qi in as a disciple.
Too bad Lin Xuan Qi already had a master, he thought.
It would be in bad taste for him to lure Lin Xuan Qi to the Cloud Sword Martial Hall, letting Lin Xuan Qi's master suffer a loss.
He wasn't someone to do such a thing.
Having this thought in his mind, Master Xin sighed and said, "We don't really have someone looking for employment right now.
"Everyone here is already working for someone.
"The Cloud Sword Martial Hall is renowned in the city.
"And due to this, our rich patrons will take in any disciples here when they are deemed good enough."
Master Xin explained the situation to Lin Xuan Qi.
Lin Xuan Qi nodded his head and bowed to Master Xin.
"Thank you so much for letting me know, Master Xin.
"Please excuse my unannounced intrusion." Lin Xuan Qi said.
Master Xin stroked his beard and was impressed with Lin Xuan Qi's attitude.
He placed his hand on Lin Xuan Qi's shoulder and said, "If you are thinking of going to the Iron Fist and Golden Palm Martial Hall, I would suggest you forget about it.
"Their situation is the same as ours.
"The need for martial arts fighters is huge in these chaotic times.
"Some richer families or royalty even have cultivators to help them in times of need.
"Your master might have better luck seeking someone retired."
"Thank you, Master Xin."
Lin Xuan Qi noted everything Master Xin had said, and he thanked Master Xin again.
This Master Xin was more helpful than he had thought.
Well, except for what happened earlier.
Lin Xuan Qi wanted to roll his eyes when he thought about it.
After he bid Master Xin farewell, Lin Xuan Qi left the martial hall.
"Master, do you know who his master is?" One of the disciples came up to Master Xin and asked.
Master Xin shook his head.
"I wouldn't know. His master most likely wasn't someone too rich."
He made the conclusion from what he saw.
Lin Xuan Qi was wearing coarse linen and hemp garments, which was nothing compared to the silk clothes some of the servants wore from rich families.
...
Lin Xuan Qi, disappointed with how his search went, decided to have lunch first.
He headed back to the mansion, hoping that Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin would have finished preparing lunch.
His stomach growled and he felt great when he saw a pillar of smoke rising from the kitchen area within the mansion.
He pushed the gates of the mansion open and entered it.
From the entrance, he could roughly see that the servant girls were busy in the kitchen.
Xue Cong was busy chopping the meat and vegetables, getting them ready to be boiled.
Yue Jie was helping her count how much silver and copper coins were left over from the purchases they had made in the morning.
They had bought food, essentials and clothes for themselves and Lin Xuan Qi.
There were a few pieces of silver and a string of copper coins that was a hundred coins each left.
"Yue Xin, make the fire bigger." Xue Cong glanced over at Yue Xin and said.
Yue Xin didn't respond; she was staring into the blank, with her mind obviously somewhere else.
"Yue Xin." Xue Cong called out to her again.
"Ah... Sorry, you need me to do something?" Yue Xin said apologetically.
"What was on your mind?" Xue Cong frowned.
Yue Xin glanced at Yue Jie, and she bit her lower lip.
She hesitated for a little while and said, "I was just thinking of our father. I don't know how he is now in prison."
"Yue Xin!" Yue Jie tried to stop Yue Xin from saying more.
Xue Cong put down the cleaver in her hands and sighed.
"I know you might miss your family members.
"I do too.
"But do remember who we are now.
"We are servants to Master Lin, sold to him with a contract.
"And Master Lin has been a benevolent master so far.
"We are luckier than we could imagine.
"Our family is in the past now.
"The sooner you recognize this, the better for you.
"I will not hesitate to punish you if you do something that harms Master Lin."
"Yes, elder sister Xue Cong." Yue Xin lowered her head in shame.
"I will convince her and make sure she won't do it again." Yue Jie said.
Xue Cong sighed and said, "Make the fire bigger, I need the water to boil before I put in the meat."
Her mind also went to thinking about her family when she put in the meat.
How is Ah Di now? she wondered.
Her younger brother might be the only one other than Master Lin that she cared about now.