17: Chapter 17 doesn't mean we won't suppress the bandits, it means we'll suppress them slowly and gradually.

Chu Sheng took action that very night.

With his Qi Induction First Grade cultivation as a safeguard, added to the profound and mysterious blessing of [Strong Luck], climbing over the wall to leave the manor was even smoother than going home.

"If I were to engage in some petty thievery, I might just become a grandmaster of the craft."

Chu Sheng silently gave himself a thumbs up in his heart.

Creeping to the old locust tree behind the mountain, the iron box lay undisturbed in the soil, even the depth at which it was buried was exactly the same as in the simulation.

He brushed it with his fingers, and the clumps of soil automatically moved to the sides.

Opening the lid, that yellowed remnant of the Turtle Breath Retention Art lay quietly, with a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone beside it.

Chu Sheng took out the spirit stone provided by the system from his waist; the one buried here was slightly better.

"Is this the real-world manifestation of Strong Luck?"

He shoved the items into his robes and returned the way he came.

The night at Listening to Bamboo Pavilion was very quiet.

Xiao Huan had already retired, and the sound of steady, light breathing drifted from the side room.

Chu Sheng sat alone in the main room.

It was in perfect condition, with inner spiritual energy, a genuine Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.

In his first simulation, he relied on this thing to practice up to the Half-Step Qi Induction, and in the second simulation, he used it to earn his first pot of gold.

"My future days will depend on you."

Chu Sheng carefully tucked it into his robes, keeping it close to his body.

As for that Turtle Breath Retention Art, to him, a true Qi Induction cultivator, it was already a chicken rib.

But keeping it might not be useless.

Those guards in the Lin manor who were stuck at the peak of being mortals, or who hadn't even reached Half-Step Qi Induction, would likely be willing to go bankrupt for this item.

...

The next day.

Chu Sheng enjoyed a rare moment of leisure, basking in the sun and circulating his spiritual energy in the courtyard.

Xiao Huan was mending clothes under the veranda, occasionally glancing up at him, then quickly lowering her head, the tips of her ears slightly red.

It was as peaceful as a painting.

On the afternoon of the third day, the painting was torn.

When the courtyard gate was knocked, Xiao Huan was serving tea to Chu Sheng.

She glanced at Chu Sheng's expression, set down the teacup, and went to open the door.

Two people stood outside the door.

One was Lin Hao, who was waving a folding fan with a smile on his face.

The other was a middle-aged man with a long sword at his waist; his gaze swept over Xiao Huan like a knife.

Xiao Huan instinctively took a half-step back.

"Attendant Chu, are you in?"

Without waiting for an invitation, Lin Hao stepped inside, his fan waving vigorously.

"Come, come, let me introduce you to someone."

He pointed to the side.

"This is Attendant Han, Han Li, an outstanding talent among the manor's attendants, highly valued by my father!"

Han Li nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Chu Sheng and lingering for three seconds.

"Attendant Chu." His voice was as hard as raw iron.

"Attendant Han." Chu Sheng stood up and cupped his hands in greeting, smiling on the surface, but alarm bells were ringing in his heart.

So it begins?

This guy Lin Hao, friendly on the surface, but he played the game of borrowing a knife to kill someone better than anyone else.

He hadn't met Han Li before; when he was a servant, he hadn't been qualified to see him.

But that gaze was as cold as if it had been quenched in poison; it didn't look like he was here to recruit him, but rather to inspect him.

Sure enough, before three sentences of pleasantries, Lin Hao got to the point.

He waved Xiao Huan away and lowered his voice.

"Attendant Chu, let's not beat around the bush. The manor looks peaceful now, but as a smart man, you should know how strong the undercurrents are."

He paused.

"The Second Branch Family relies on their maternal family's power, and with a few old fogies backing them, they have always wanted to suppress my Third Branch. My father... sigh, he's been easily swayed lately, leaning towards them."

His face showed some indignation and some helplessness.

"Brother Han is a staunch supporter of my Third Branch."

He patted Han Li's shoulder and looked at Chu Sheng again.

"Attendant Chu, you have newly reached Qi Induction, and your future is limitless. But in this manor, without backing, you will inevitably be squeezed out by petty people. Think about it, why do those dirty and tiring jobs always fall to you first?"

This hit a sore spot.

Chu Sheng didn't show it on his face, but he scoffed internally.

As if joining your Third Branch would mean no more dirty or tiring work.

Lin Hao saw he was silent and thought he was swayed, his tone becoming more eager.

"As long as Attendant Chu is willing to join us, in the future when the Third Branch gains power, your monthly allowance and resources will naturally rise. Brother Han can also give you some pointers on your cultivation."

He gave a wink.

Han Li finally spoke.

"Ahem, Junior Brother Chu has just entered Qi Induction, your foundation still needs polishing. If you encounter any problems, you can come and ask me."

One giving empty promises to paint a big picture, the other putting on the airs of a senior to dispense advice.

Do they really think I'm some greenhorn fresh out of the woodshed, ready to kneel and call them master just because I see a Qi Induction Second Grade?

He looked hesitant.

"Young Master Hao, Attendant Han, your kindness is greatly appreciated. It's just... this matter concerns Chu Sheng's future path, so I truly dare not act rashly."

He paused.

"One week. One week later, I will definitely give Young Master Hao a clear answer."

One week later, the cooldown for the third simulation would just be finished.

The starting point this time was completely different; he had already passed the beginner stage.

When the time comes, he could just survive in the simulation, scrape together some resources, and if his luck was good, what if he reached Condensing True Essence directly?

Even if he didn't reach Condensing True Essence, at least he would be able to see what would happen in this week.

Lin Hao's brows furrowed imperceptibly.

A servant-turned-attendant, not knowing when to be grateful, and stalling?

But he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

After all, the other party was already in the Qi Induction Realm, no longer the servant who could be scolded at will.

"Very well, it is only right for Attendant Chu to be cautious." He forced a smile, "Then we shall await your good news in a week."

After saying this, he exchanged a few perfunctory pleasantries and turned to leave with Han Li.

When Han Li reached the courtyard gate, he turned back to look at Chu Sheng again.

That gaze made chills run down Chu Sheng's back.

...

After sending away the two plagues, Chu Sheng sat in his chair.

That playboy Lin Hao, still up to no good.

But what made him even more vigilant was Han Li.

That gaze was too off.

Lin Hao was recruiting people to strengthen the Third Branch's power; Han Li's gaze, however, didn't seem to be for Lin Hao's sake.

"Must be on guard."

Two days later, the courtyard gate was knocked again.

Xiao Huan went to open the door, and this time, a smiling middle-aged steward—Steward Wang—entered.

"Attendant Chu, resting?"

Steward Wang stepped inside, holding a tray covered with red silk.

"There is a small matter that requires Attendant Chu to take a trip."

Chu Sheng's heart skipped a beat.

"Please speak, Steward Wang."

"It is like this."

Steward Wang rubbed his hands together with a beaming smile.

"Fifty miles northwest of our Qingshi Town at Black Wind Hollow, there is a gang of bandits that has occupied an abandoned stockade, calling themselves the Black Wind Stockade. These bandits don't touch large merchant caravans, instead specifically targeting nearby villages and small merchants, causing widespread resentment."

He paused.

"As a major clan of Qingshi Town, it is our bounden duty to maintain peace in the area!"

Hearing this righteous tone, Chu Sheng almost couldn't keep a straight face.

"Among the attendants in the manor, Attendant Han is in seclusion, Deacon Qian hasn't returned from escorting a caravan, and Deacon Sun is unwell. The Chief Steward and others have urgent matters and cannot get away."

Steward Wang spread his hands, looking troubled.

"So, we thought of you, Attendant Chu! You have newly reached Qi Induction, and this is the perfect time for you to gain experience and make a name for yourself!"

His tone rose.

"The leader of that Black Wind Stockade is said to be only a Ninth Grade Martial Artist, and the rest are just rabble. With Attendant Chu's skills, wouldn't it be easy to capture them? It would also be a great contribution to the manor!"

Chu Sheng was taken aback by the flattery, but his mind was racing.

Attendant Han is in seclusion?

He was full of energy just a moment ago coming to recruit me, and now he says he's in seclusion?

Clearly, he doesn't want to go.

He had heard the name Black Wind Stockade in his second simulation.

Lin Hao had used the pretext of suppressing bandits to force him onto a path of death.

Although he now had the cultivation of Qi Induction First Grade and the blessing of Strong Luck, his practical combat experience was almost zero, and he had no suitable magic artifacts or weapons.

Just go to suppress the bandits single-handedly?

The risk is not small.

"Steward Wang, This humble one is not trying to shirk responsibility."

He said, choosing his words carefully.

"It's just that this bandit suppression matter relies on precision, science, and efficiency. Rushing over rashly would only alert the enemy and ruin the big plan."

"Why not allow This humble one a day or two to first scout out the reality of the bandit stockade, the terrain, and the numbers, and then take them down in one fell swoop."

Steward Wang thought about it and felt it made sense.

"Very well, then we will give Attendant Chu two days to prepare. Two days from now, you must depart!"

He paused.

"If you need any ordinary weapons or maps, you can go to the outer courtyard armory to requisition them."

After speaking, he placed the tray on the table and turned to leave, afraid that Chu Sheng would go back on his word.

The red silk on the tray slipped off, revealing a set of half-old leather armor and a long blade underneath.

...

The small courtyard returned to silence.

Chu Sheng sat in the chair, his fingers tapping on the table, his gaze falling on that set of "consolation gifts."

Black Wind Stockade.

Lin Hao.

Han Li.

Steward Wang.

And that perfectly timed seclusion and illness.

One ring after another, he was like a novice who had just sat down at the table, forced into a gambling game.

"It seems the cultivation world is not that simple."

"But who said a novice is bound to lose?"

Chu Sheng looked at the simulator interface.

[Third life simulation cooling down... Remaining time: 1 day and 5 hours]

The corners of his mouth slowly curled up.

In the second simulation, he relied on Strong Luck and calculation to turn the tables even in a place like Luofeng Town, where dragons and snakes mingled.

Now, in reality, he had cultivation, Strong Luck, spirit stones, and the upcoming third simulation.

Black Wind Stockade might not be a pit; it could even be his stepping stone.

He reached out and picked up the notched long blade, looking at it against the window light.

The blade reflected his young, calm face.

"Steady for now."

"Wait for the simulation to cool down."