No wonder he was surprised. After all, all those who are sent here are from the privileged class of mortals, but looking at Lixin, he doesn't seem to be someone from the privileged class.
Through his years of experience, he could tell that this child was an orphan, an orphan with this frail body who had managed to climb those steps.
He couldn't help but praise the boy's will in his heart, but looking at his eyes, he released a sad sigh. Those eyes that once glowed with hope, but having lost them, are common to him.
Even he was once like that, but after years upon years, he had already given up long ago. He wondered how long it would take for this boy to regain his spirit.
"Greetings .."
"Old Shu, just call me that boy."
Old Shu muttered as he walked back inside. With his hands, he signaled the boy to follow while also shooing Director Yin away as if he were a fly.
Seeing such a thing, Director Yin's face turned red with anger, but remembering the serenity of the old man, he calmed himself down.
"Lixin, call me if you need anything."
"Yes, thank you for your time, Director Yin."
Lixin said as he also returned the bow. Now, with a bag in his hands, he walked inside the farm. the smell of feces didn't deter him, as an orphan he had smelt worse.
Seeing Lixin not being deterred by the smell, Old Shu gave him one extra point of appreciation in his heart. If this boy is hardworking enough, he may lead this farm after him.
Walking toward the wooden cottage, he rested his body on the lawn chair and looked at Lixin, who was standing.
"Go change into your new clothes and come back with a chair."
He said in a leisurely tone as he closed his eyes. Lixin nodded his head as he moved toward the wooden cottage.
"Oh, take the second room on the second floor as your room."
"Understood"
Old Shu shouted as Lixin gave a quick reply. Walking inside the building, he touched the wooden wall, feeling that it was made out of high-quality wood.
There was no dirty smell inside; in fact, a fragrant smell of wood drifted in the air. The first thing that came to his side was an incense lamp with incense burning.
He walked inside and found an antique-type kitchen on the left side. A pile of wood was put next to the window, and various pots and pans were hanging on the wall.
On the right side was a large living room filled with various materials, the most common being pig leather and chicken feathers.
Taking the step, he climbed the floor. He saw a long hallway with two doors on each side, making up four rooms.
According to Old Shu's arrangement, he entered the designated room. It was quite spacious with a clothes wardrobe next to a single-person bed.
The bed was simple with two pillows, a mattress, and a blanket. A study desk was on the other side of the room, just next to the window.
An oil lamp was placed on it, as a small drawer was attached to the desk. Walking inside, he sat on the bed. It was more comfortable than he thought it would be.
The mattress seems to be made out of some kind of soft material, and the pillow where also perfect; they even contained a certain floral fragrance.
Opening the bag, he found five sets of robes completely brown in color. They were servants' robes made of silk and some other material that was flexible and sturdy.
There was also a book inside as he looked at its cover page.
"Body Building Manual."
He read the words on the cover as he put it aside for now. Inside the bag, there were also ten blue colored glowing stones contained in a small pouch. This should be spirit stones, he wondered before putting them aside.
There was also a bronze badge where his name and occupation were written; this should be his identity card. These were the only things in the bag as he started to tidy the room. He put the clothes in the hanger, the book on the desk, and the spirit stones inside the drawer.
Changing into the servants' clothes, he bundled up his old and tattered clothes; these should become good fire starters.
He attached his identity badge to his waist and exited the room. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his spirit and heart. This was his life now; he didn't have an immortal fate, so this would become his path forward as a mortal.
Walking out of the building, he saw Old Shu still lying on the lawn chair. He seemed to notice his arrival as he turned his attention toward him.
"Took you time."
"Sorry."
"Aaa, don't mind it. At least you listened to me."
"There were two others before you. Due to their connection, they acted truly arrogant, not even giving respect to his old bones."
"Hmm, what happened to them?"
"Ha, their lazy ass couldn't handle the work and ran away."
Old Shu muttered, showing a disdainful expression. From his words, it was clear how much he despised those two individuals.
"I see.."
Lixin muttered as he looked at the large farm. Well, with only two people, it would be quite hard to manage it.
"Hey boy, do you have some connections?"
Old Shu suddenly asked as he stood up. His hunched back had become straight as he looked Lixin straight in the eyes.
"Kind of.."
Lixin muttered. Although he felt like he didn't deserve it, he did have some connection and even with some very great people.
"Though so."
"Why do you ask?"
"Oh, you don't know."
Old Shu said with a look of surprise. He didn't expect that someone would join here without knowing the ins and outs of things.
"Yes."
"Tell me, boy, how much do you know about our sect?"
"I know it's a righteous sect; it has an outer gate and an inner gate. All mortal servants work on the outer gate."
"There are many branches in the Outer Gate where servants do various jobs. Our branch is related to food items, and our department is related to Animal raising."
"Yes, our branch raises animals and provides them to the outer gate."
"Do you know how many farms there are under this department?"
"No."
"There are ten thousand farms, and the lower the number of the farm, the greater its ranking."
"Hey kid, do you know the number of our farm?"
"Hmm, 105 if I remember correctly."
"Yes, our farm ranks at 105 among ten thousand farms, but for such a high-ranking farm, the servants working here are small in number."
"Do you know what it means?"
"Heh, let me tell you, kid."
"It means that after giving the quota to the sect, all the extra profit can be enjoyed by a small number of servants."
"Before you, only I was working here. The profit I earn is enough to make a Director salivate with envy."
"I am already old and nearing the end of my life span, so if someone works here, then after my death, they will be the sole owner of this farm."
"Thus servants with great connection are sent here, but alas, no one has lasted."
"Since only those who were taken as servants in the disciple selection are selected for the farm, those with connections are spoiled brats. How can they do hard work with their plump body and soft skin?"
"So no matter what, within a month, all of them left the farm."
"Do you think you will be any different child?"
Old Shu then stopped talking as he looked at the silent child. He wondered if this kid might be able to inherit the farm from him.
"Although I do not have great ability, and my body is frail, I am not afraid of hard work."
Lixin replied after a moment of thought. Since Elder Han has given him this opportunity, he won't waste it. Plus, now the only thing he can do is work hard, so how can he be afraid of it?
"Good, Good. Then take all the fodder and feed the pigs."
"Take the grains and spread them on the bowl throughout the farm."
"Pick up the worm powder and spread it on the lake."
"After you have done all of it, return to the cottage."
Old Shu said with a laugh as he walked inside the cottage, leaving all the job to him. Lixin didn't complain as he could see that this was a kind of training.
Though it would have been better if he had taught him at least once. Sighing, he walked toward the warehouse. It was filled with various sacks. It was good to think that all the items were labeled.
There was also a notice that told how much he needed to feed the spirit animals. It seems that Old Shu was prepared.
Looking at the trolley on the side, he started to fill it with fodder first. It seems he would have to make at least three trips.
Pulling with all his might, he made the trolley move as he walked toward the pig's den. Reaching there, he saw the fat pigs playing in the mud and basking in the sun.
He put the fodder down as the pigs started to gather. He wiped his sweat and walked back toward the warehouse.
Making another trip, he dumped the fodder in another place as pigs made their way there. Before he became surrounded by pigs, he made another trip.
Huffing and puffing, he put the fodder down as he rested in the shade. His body had become sweaty as he drank water from the nearby well.
Looking at the half-car-sized pig eating, he couldn't help but sigh. In this world, even the animals that are to be slaughtered are amazing.
Talking a step forward, he could help but touch a pig.
[Ding!!, Spirit Animal Detected...]
[System Starting... 10%... 50%... 90%...]
[System Started]
-=-=-=-
[Species: Spirit Fat Pig]
[Rank: None]
[Lifespan: 15/50 yrs]
[Specialty: Its meat is quite juicy and contains spirit energy.]
[Would You like to extract its Lifespan: Yes ..... No]
-=-=-=-
Looking at the panel in front of him, he froze. It seemed he really had a which just activated. He quickly calmed himself down using the meditation technique from his last life.
Now, with a steady mind, he looked at the panel and spoke.
"System, explain your function."