"Hey! Interesting!"
Steward Li looked Li Yunjing up and down.
This kid was quite handsome— with sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, a broad mouth, a straight nose, fair skin, a tall and muscular build—a very fine appearance indeed.
"Just not sure if he's all looks and no substance!"
This thought flashed through his mind briefly. Steward Li then got off the carriage, instructing Li Yunjing to get down quickly.
Li Yunjing lifted the curtain and leaped off the carriage.
With his feet on the ground, he felt extremely secure.
At this moment, he no longer felt the weakness from the previous night; Li Yunjing exuded a sharp aura typical of a martial artist.
"Not bad! A bit of external martial arts skills! And he's developed Qi sensitivity and found the path to cultivation!"
Steward Li scrutinized him again, nodding slightly.
With a keen eye, Steward Li assessed Li Yunjing's background almost completely at a glance.
The sound of clapping echoed through the air.
"Stop! Everyone rest here for a while!"
Steward Li clapped his hands and spoke with a booming voice.
"Whoa..."
The coachman immediately reined in the horses upon hearing Steward Li's orders.
The ten knights guarding them pulled the reins, making their steeds stop instantly.
"There's a grassy area over there; set up camp there."
Steward Li pointed to the grassland on the right side of the dirt road and instructed.
"Yes!"
Everyone responded, and the convoy stopped by a flat patch of grass as per his instructions.
The knights began unloading food from the third carriage; some went to the forest to gather dry wood, while others carried buckets in search of water...
The knights were swift and skilled, clearly well-versed in wilderness survival.
"Go help out over there!"
Steward Li pointed at Li Yunjing and ordered.
There wasn't a hint of politeness in his tone.
This kid's life was saved by him, after all, and it cost him a precious Spirit Pill.
Looks like this kid couldn't repay him; might as well make him work to feel better about it.
"Sure! I'm on it!"
Li Yunjing responded cheerfully, with no strange expression.
They saved his life, so why shouldn't he do some work to repay them?
Besides, he would be eating with the Yu Family later—helping out would earn him more food.
Otherwise, Li Yunjing would feel embarrassed.
"Hey! This kid!"
Steward Li, hands behind his back, watched Li Yunjing run to the camp to help set up the cooking pot and smiled faintly.
Some people set up tables and chairs, some washed ingredients, and others prepared the cooking utensils...
Everyone had clear duties, and soon, everything was ready.
Before long, a few knights returned with cleaned rabbits and hazel grouses.
With no slackers among them, the preparations were quickly completed.
Li Yunjing followed orders and blended in, assisting on the side.
Soon, all the ingredients were ready.
"Dingling! Dingling! Dingling!"
A fragrant breeze blew, and the sound of delicate bells chimed.
Li Yunjing looked up to see a young girl skipping over.
The girl wore a white dress, had a pair of braided pigtails, and her fresh face showed a bit of immaturity.
The jingling golden bells hung from her belt.
"Alright! I'll take over here!"
Grinning, the girl reached out and grabbed a kitchen knife.
She started chopping the cleaned rabbits and hazel grouses on the counter with expert movements.
Her actions were highly skilled, and soon the ingredients and spices were in the pot, stir-frying.
"Brother, who is she?"
Before long, an enticing fragrance wafted out. Li Yunjing sidled up to a knight and asked familiarly.
The knight frowned slightly, gave Li Yunjing a glance, and spoke gruffly, "The young lady's maid, Ling'Er."
"Oh! This little girl seems to have some training?"
Li Yunjing continued to ask.
The knight couldn't help but roll his eyes at Li Yunjing and walked away.
This kid was really something, trying to get information out of him?
Like he could tell him that?
We Yu Family knights are disciplined!
"Tsk tsk!"
Li Yunjing chuckled lightly, not embarrassed by the rejection at all.
He spotted a relatively flat stone nearby, bent his knee, and sat down.
Since there was nothing for him to do, Li Yunjing wouldn't pretend to be busy.
He was a straightforward person!
"Strange! After getting struck by lightning and sleeping for a night, why do I feel my body is even better now?"
With a blade of grass in his mouth, Li Yunjing stared into the distance.
But his mind had long wandered elsewhere.
"Could it be because of Steward Li's Heart Protection Pill?"
Various thoughts floated through Li Yunjing's mind.
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. Li Yunjing wasn't someone who liked owing favors.
Such a debt had to be repaid.
But at the moment, he had nothing—not even his clothes belonged to him.
How would he repay?
"This feeling of owing someone a favor is really unpleasant!"
Li Yunjing murmured to himself.
At this moment, he didn't know that in his mind, a tiny bead, as small as a speck of dust, had appeared.
This bead emitted a bright blue light, with tiny rays constantly flickering.
These rays spread from Li Yunjing's sea of consciousness to other parts of his body.
The real reason he felt more energetic and stronger was this tiny bead.
Not the 'Heart Protection Pill'.
"Kid, what are you up to?"
Just then, a light footstep approached.
The voice was familiar—Steward Li.
"Ah? Steward Li!"
Li Yunjing quickly stood up. The aroma in the air became more enticing among the curling cooking smoke.
"Is that stewed hazel grouse?"
Li Yunjing's straight nose twitched; the scent was even more mouth-watering.
He swallowed hard, and his stomach growled. Only then did he realize he was a bit hungry.
After being struck by lightning last night, his belongings were reduced to ashes; he was out of money and food.
Having not eaten for a day and a night, how could he resist this aroma?
"Kid, you'll have to wait a bit longer if you want to eat!"
Steward Li looked at Li Yunjing with a faint smile and said, "Come with me to thank the young lady for saving your life!"
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, Li Yunjing straightened up.
Finally about to meet the benefactor!
"Hmm."
Steward Li gave a nasal sound, turned around, and walked slowly in front.
Li Yunjing followed obediently, like a little servant.
With his energy restored, Li Yunjing's martial artist senses had returned.