Chapter 32: Servants Turn Pale with Fear

Hearing Lu Xiao speak, Liu Wang paced back and forth a few steps.

"What are you saying, Fourth Young Master? Everything we do is per the Old Madam's instructions. If you have any complaints, feel free to take them up with her. As for what methods you might try to use against us, let me offer you a bit of advice: instead of thinking about us, you should be thinking about yourself. Although I’m no martial artist, I know that once that spiritual bone is extracted, a person becomes a cripple. Life is long, Fourth Young Master. In the future, you will surely need servants like us to look after you. If you hurt us today, who will take care of you later?"

Liu Wang’s words sounded like concern on the surface, but the underlying threat was incredibly obvious. Even someone insensitive to subtext could hear it clearly. In the eyes of these servants, the extraction of Lu Xiao's spiritual bone was a foregone conclusion, an unchangeable fact. His participation in the Martial Sect Academy’s entrance examination was merely a formality. In half a year, Lu Xiao would become a crippled Fourth Young Master who could barely walk. Since he was already unloved and would soon be disabled, the servants viewed him as being at the very bottom of the Marquis's estate. At most, he might fare slightly better when Lu Zheng was around, but otherwise, he would be forced to beg them for help.

"It seems you all already know something about my spiritual bone. That’s perfect; it saves me the trouble of explaining. You should have heard that a spiritual bone cannot be forcibly extracted. To get it from me, I must cooperate, right?"

As Lu Xiao said this, the other servants didn't seem to react immediately, but Liu Wang faintly guessed something. He had indeed heard that theory. It explained why the Old Madam was willing to bet against Lu Xiao and allow him to take the Martial Sect Academy’s exam; it was likely to ensure he would be willing to cooperate in the extraction of his own spiritual bone when he lost the bet. It all made perfect sense.

"I have no status in the Marquis's estate, and many don't even treat me like a young master. If I asked the Old Madam for excessive favors, she wouldn't agree. But if, when I am ready to offer up my spiritual bone, I demand that the Marquis's estate break the legs of you dogs to accompany me in my disability, do you think she would refuse? I, Lu Xiao, am considered disposable, so there is no reason why you servants cannot be sacrificed as well!"

Lu Xiao’s words were clear and direct. Although these people were servants, they weren't fools. When it came to their own interests, they were sharp enough. What Lu Xiao said was not an empty threat. If the Marquis's estate could sacrifice an unloved young master like him, why couldn't they sacrifice a few servants? The demand to break their legs would likely be seen as trivial by the estate's high-ranking officials. Breaking a few servants' legs wouldn't cause even a ripple in public opinion; no one would even bother to discuss it.

As his words fell, the color drained from the servants' faces. Liu Wang, standing at the front, turned deathly pale. His previous arrogance had completely vanished. Having spent years in the estate, he knew exactly where he stood. Even if he were valued by the Old Madam and the First Madam, they wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice him for the estate's greater good.

Lu Xiao went back to collect his food. This time, none of the servants dared to block him. As they looked at him, a new emotion began to surface in their eyes: fear. Lu Xiao truly had the means to deal with them. Having been stifled earlier, Liu Wang had wanted to get back at Lu Xiao, but now, he wished he had never offended him in the first place.

For a long while, even after the steam from the opened steamer had dissipated, the servants remained stunned.

"Brother Liu, what should we do now?"

When they finally regained their senses, it was only to shift into a different kind of panic. Liu Wang looked at the group, trying his best to compose his expression, though he still looked rather unsightly.

"Don't panic. Everything we’ve done was arranged by the Old Madam and the First Madam; we are working for the sake of the Marquis's estate. Lu Xiao is just trying to scare us. However, we should be more careful from now on and not go too far. After all, he is still a young master of the estate."

Liu Wang’s tone had already changed. He was clever enough to weigh his own interests. Lu Xiao’s threat was a dagger aimed straight at his heart—a real, tangible possibility.

The servants' appetites for the midday meal seemed to have vanished. Although Liu Wang tried to console them, none of them ate in peace. Lu Xiao and Er Niu, on the other hand, had a pleasant lunch.

In the afternoon, they returned to their chores. Until the end of the day, no servants came to watch over them. By then, the others had finished their own meals and were working. Liu Wang and three of his most trusted servants were sweeping the eastern garden. Their conversation was much more straightforward than it had been in the kitchen.

"Brother Liu, what about the Fourth Young Master?" The servant who spoke no longer referred to him by name, opting for the title instead. The impact of Lu Xiao’s threat earlier that day was evident. "If he really drags us down with him, what should we do?"

Liu Wang, as their leader, had to remain composed. "Don't panic. I’ve thought this through carefully. Let’s not provoke him anymore; he shouldn't dare to take us down with him. Even though our status is low, after Lu Xiao becomes crippled, he will have to deal with us the most. If we are crippled too, he will only face more retaliation later. He doesn't have the guts."

Liu Wang’s explanation eased the tension slightly, but one of the servants still looked angry. "Brother Liu, I still feel uneasy. Being threatened by someone like him—the more I think about it, the angrier I get. By what right does he yell at us?"

Liu Wang smiled. "Just wait a few more months. Once his spiritual bone is extracted, you can vent your anger however you like. Don't look at him always thinking about cultivation; it’s hopeless. Without enough talent and insight, no matter how hard he trains, he will never pass the Martial Sect Academy’s exam. For now, just restrain yourselves. Don't provoke him. And even if you do, don't be the one to take the lead."