Chapter 1: Little Rogue

  In the early days of spring, the Lu family—the richest merchants in Willow Creek Town—announced its unexpected recruitment of new servants. The news took the entire town by storm, and by dawn, a long line of desperate applicants had formed before the Lu family's majestic gates. The compound itself sprawled across an entire city block, its red-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls speaking of generations of accumulated wealth. Though lacking the spiritual formations and spirit beast guardians of cultivation families, the estate nonetheless commanded respect through sheer opulence.

  Standing before the long line of applicants was a young man with an arrogant expression on his face. He was quite handsome and dressed in luxurious silk robes that spoke of his elevated privilege. Clearly, he was someone of considerable status within the family and had been assigned as the examiner in charge of the recruitment.

  His arrogant gaze fell on the line of people. Their worn clothing and nervous expressions marked them as common folk desperately seeking shelter and employment. He sneered disdainfully, almost as if it was beneath his status to even attend to the group.

  "Alright, let's start the assess—"

  Before the young man could finish his words, a frail-looking boy suddenly appeared in the distance, looking no older than nine. He was dressed in worn blue robes. Long, unkempt hair fell across his face, but it couldn't hide his most striking feature—a pair of golden eyes that burned with hidden intelligence far beyond his tender years.

  The appearance of the mysterious child immediately drew the attention of the applicants. However seeing how he refused to take his place at the back of the line, their expressions twisted from curiosity to anger.

  "Hey, little brat! what do you think you're doing? Get to the back of the line!"

  "Insolent child! Didn't your parents teach you to respect your elders?"

  A symphony of voices broke loose, all yelling angrily at the little boy. The boy trembled, but his golden eyes betrayed him—they held a hidden calm beneath his terrified look.

  Suddenly, the privileged young man standing before the line strode forward in large strides, his robes fluttering gently.

  "You!" he said, pointing a jeweled finger at the boy. "Didn't you hear what they said? Go back to the line and don't cause trouble."

  He leaned forward, his eyes shining with threat. "Else..."

  "Hahahaha good, he's going to face the consequences for offending the Lu family."

  Someone said from the crowd. The others nodded in unison, their eyes filled with anticipation, eager to watch the little show. Although they had come for an important assessment, watching an unexpected show with it wasn't so bad, was it?

  However, just when everyone was expecting the boy to make excuses or protest like any normal street kid would, his next action went against all expectations.

  Bam!

  The boy dropped to his knees before the young man, his entire demeanor transformed instantly. His straight shoulders slumped, his bright eyes filled with tears, and his lower lip began to tremble.

  "I-I'm sorry, young master!" he stammered, his voice breaking with apparent terror. "My name is Tianhao. I'm... I'm an orphan. I've been living on the streets, begging for scraps." His small body began to shake as if overwhelmed by fear. "I came here today because I heard the Lu family might have work. I'll do anything—clean floors, empty chamber pots, scrub dishes! Please, I just need a chance!"

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  The transformation was so complete, so utterly convincing, that several onlookers felt their hearts clench with sympathy, even guilt. The young man found himself momentarily speechless, his prepared scolding dying in his throat.

  Before anyone could react, Tianhao started kowtowing frantically, his forehead striking the ground with audible thuds. "Please, young master! I know I was wrong to cut in line, but I was so desperate! I need a job! I need shelter!"

  "This..." The Lu family youth—Lu Chen, according to the nameplate on his sash—shifted uncomfortably. He hadn't expected such a dramatic display.

  But Tianhao wasn't finished with his performance. With trembling hands, he reached into his tattered robes and withdrew a small leather pouch. Unfolding it carefully, he revealed its contents to the morning sunlight.

  Five silver coins lay gleaming against the worn leather, their polished surfaces catching the light like captured stars.

  The crowd drew in a sharp breath.

  "Five silver coins!" someone whispered in amazement. "That's five hundred bronze—more than most of us see in a month!"

  "How did a street orphan get so much money?" another voice wondered.

  "Here!" Tianhao's voice cracked with emotion as he held the pouch toward Lu Chen. "This is everything I have in the world. Every coin I've saved, every bronze I've begged for. Take it all! Just give me a chance to work for the Lu family!"

  Lu Chen stared at the silver coins, his breathing growing rapid. Although he had some status, he wasn't a direct descendant of the family, and thus his allowance was limited—three silver coins a month. In essence, the pouch in the child's hands had nearly doubled his monthly income.

  He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his dignity while greed warred with conscience in his chest. The coins seemed to call to him, promising better wine, finer dishes, perhaps even a night with one of the pleasure house girls he'd been eyeing.

  "Young friend," he said, his voice carefully controlled, "my name is Lu Chen. You may call me Brother Chen." He paused, as if considering great matters of importance. "Your... sincerity... moves me. Very well. Give me the coins, and I'll personally ensure you receive employment."

  Tianhao's eyes lit up with apparent joy, though those watching closely might have noticed the brief flash of something altogether more calculating in those golden depths. "Thank you, Brother Chen! Thank you so much!"

  He pressed the leather pouch into Lu Chen's hands. Lu Chen made a show of reluctance before pocketing it swiftly.

  "Good, good!" His demeanor had shifted completely, his earlier sternness replaced by oily friendliness. "From today forward, you are a member of the Lu household!"

  The assembled crowd watched this exchange with expressions ranging from disgust to pity. The shamelessness of the Lu family member was breathtaking, but none dared voice their criticism—doing so would forfeit their own chances at employment.

  Standing to the side, Tianhao allowed his lips to curve into the faintest of smiles. His fingers rubbed together in a gesture of satisfaction that none observed, his mind already racing ahead to the next phase of his plan.

  'Hook, line, and sinker,' he thought with dark amusement. 'Just like every other greedy fool in this town.'

  ---

  The recruitment process continued for another hour, with Lu Chen selecting ten additional servants from the remaining applicants. His choices seemed random—perhaps influenced by his recent windfall—but none questioned his decisions aloud.

  "Follow me, all of you," Lu Chen commanded, his swagger more pronounced now that silver jingled in his sleeve. "I'll show you to your quarters and explain your duties."

  He led the group of eleven through the majestic gates, past artificial ponds and flourishing gardens. They soon arrived at an old building standing at the far end of the compound behind two other structures of elegance and luxury. Compared to those two buildings, it seemed completely out of place, odd even. However, it was still far better than anything most of the new servants had ever called home.

  Lu Chen gestured grandly toward the largest structure. "That is the main family residence, where the direct descendant members reside. You are never to enter without explicit permission." His voice carried the weight of absolute prohibition.

  He pointed to the second building, slightly smaller but still impressive. "That is the side residence for collateral family members, guards, and senior servants. Perhaps one day with good service, you might earn quarters there."

  Finally, he pointed at the old building and said flatly, "This will be your home. Report to Madam Shi for your uniforms and room assignments."

  ---

  Madam Shi proved to be a round-faced woman in her middle years, with the no-nonsense demeanor of someone who had spent decades managing household staff. Her eyes swept over the new arrivals with practiced efficiency, judging their potential usefulness.

  "Uniforms are in the box by the wall," she announced without preamble. "Find one that fits. Rooms are down the hallway—first come, first served, but no fighting over them or you'll all sleep in the stables." Her tone brooked no argument. "Work begins at dawn tomorrow. Don't be late."

  Tianhao stepped forward and casually selected a servant's uniform from the wooden chest—plain gray cloth, but clean and properly cut. Without waiting for further instructions, he walked down the narrow hallway, examining the available rooms with the careful attention of someone accustomed to evaluating shelters.

  Most were tiny, barely large enough for a sleeping mat and small trunk. But at the hallway's end, he found something better—a corner room with a small window and, more importantly, two different exits. 'Always plan your escape routes,' he'd learned during his years on the streets.

  He pushed open the wooden door and wrinkled his nose at the musty smell. Several insects scurried away from the sudden light. The previous occupant had clearly been more than ignorant about cleanliness. The sleeping mat bore suspicious stains, and spider webs adorned the corners.

  But Tianhao's lips curved into a genuine smile of satisfaction as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. The other servants could have their cleaner rooms—he'd chosen this one for reasons they couldn't understand.

  "Phase one complete," he murmured to himself, his voice carrying a note of anticipation that would have chilled anyone who heard it. "Now... let the real game begin."

  Outside his window, the shadows were already beginning to lengthen as afternoon approached. Soon, the Lu family would discover just what kind of "servant" they had welcomed into their midst.

  The Little Rogue of Willow Creek had found his next target.