Chapter Seventy-Five: The Thirteen Arhats

Feng Xiaobao’s beautiful slave girl, the Huji, saw her dreams shattered. Fortunately, he was philosophical about it—he could always compensate with Tang Tian in the future!

Upon returning home, he settled the newly purchased slaves and began evaluating their abilities.

Rice Seven Hundred Sixty-Four was renamed Ayi. With a single punch, he shattered a wall; with a tug, he uprooted a tree. Truly, his power was extraordinary!

What was remarkable was that he could speak a little of the Han language, so communication posed no great problem.

When Xiaobao, curious, asked how Ayi managed to learn such a complex pictographic script—so difficult for any wild man—Ayi’s expression turned haunted, as if recalling something unbearable.

Tang Tian’s words were entirely accurate: those...

“He’s immensely strong, but his weaknesses are clear,” Tang Zhiling commented.

“Please elaborate!” Feng Xiaobao knew Tang Zhiling was a meticulously trained elite of the Tang family, and his perspective was far superior to the average.

“His agility needs work. There are two aspects to this. First, if he improves, you’ve struck gold—a combination of strength and agility is trouble for any adversary. On the other hand, if he cannot improve, then clad him in heavy armor and send him charging into the fray. As the spearhead in an assault, he still has his merits.”

“Second, you need to teach him techniques!”

“Techniques?” Feng Xiaobao asked hurriedly.

“Exactly!” Tang Zhiling explained. “Right now, he fights like a wild man—no method, all wasted potential.” (Ayi: Well, I am a wild man, aren’t I?)

“I understand!” Feng Xiaobao’s eyes sparkled—he immediately thought of King Golden Blade Li Jinglong, who had once invited him to apprentice!

King Golden Blade surely possessed techniques worth learning; seeking him was the right move.

Having made up his mind, Feng Xiaobao continued inspecting the twelve robust youths. Each was broad-shouldered, full of energy, diligent, and obedient.

Their family members were relatively young, meaning they could contribute more to the wicked slave master Feng Xiaobao.

These twelve families were premium assets—their previous owners would not have transferred ownership had they not succumbed to disaster or financial woes.

Feng Xiaobao placed six families in his estate outside the city to assist with pharmaceutical production, supporting his burgeoning medicinal business. His Six-Ingredient Rejuvenation Pill and Immortal Pill were in high demand.

The other six families were sent to Princess Qianjin’s soap factory to help, making full use of everyone—even children could help glue paper boxes.

The twelve youths were gathered at the estate for training. Feng Xiaobao began crafting his own elite force according to his training regimen.

First came formation drills, physical conditioning, and then weapons training, among other disciplines.

Thus, Feng Xiaobao was extremely busy, personally overseeing most affairs, training the thirteen monks—Ayi included, alongside the twelve youths.

The mercenaries he hired were only tasked with teaching weapon handling and sharing their experience—he did not allow them to interfere with the thirteen monks’ matters.

Tang Tian lent a hand as well, teaching them archery.

Beyond combat, he invited scholars to instruct them in literacy—a practical move to eradicate illiteracy. To save costs, he included children from the twelve families in the classes.

Their treatment exceeded the average wage by ten percent—this “bonus pay” would be withheld if training standards were not met.

Another sum was set aside as a reward for reaching milestones of one thousand, two thousand, and three thousand characters learned. Passing the exam meant a bonus.

Such rewards were rare; Feng Xiaobao said little, relying on their own motivation... Literacy and combat skills were the hallmarks of an officer’s training.

He had high hopes for them, pouring in tremendous effort.

In his game of conquest, he needed sufficient manpower, and Feng Xiaobao was enthusiastic, treating them as training NPCs.

He brought Tang Tian and Ayi, and together, following King Golden Blade Li Jinglong’s directions, set out to pay a formal visit to the Marquis’s residence at Shangxiu Lane.

Before that, he met with Yang Deqing (father of Yang Chengxian, General of the Left Guards), explained the matter with Li Jinglong, and gained Yang Deqing’s approval.

It turned out Li Jinglong had already mentioned wanting to meet Feng Xiaobao. So Yang Deqing told Feng Xiaobao, “You were cultivated by the combined efforts of the military system...”

“Xiaobao will never forget!” Feng Xiaobao replied promptly.

...

King Golden Blade’s residence was at Shangxiu Lane, with a sign reading “Imperially Built: Marquis of Hexi County,” the main gate opening onto the street!

Anyone familiar with old Luoyang would know that a house with a gate opening outward was extraordinary—this was a mark of power!

Ordinary commoners’ homes were within the lanes, their gates facing inward, strictly regulated by curfews. Only when the lane gates opened could they come and go; at night, the lane gates closed, and lingering on the street was forbidden. Returning late meant being locked out—that was minor, but getting caught by the city guards could spell trouble.

Only families of high officials and nobles could get permission for their gates to face outward, freeing them from lane gate restrictions and granting much more liberty.

Power equals freedom—the greater the power, the greater the freedom. Even the direction of a gate revealed everything.

King Golden Blade’s residence was unique. There were no steps at the entrance, only a straight path leading inside. The doors were crimson, guarded by several disciples dressed in hunting attire, arrogant in demeanor.

The gates were wide open, with people, horses, and carriages bustling in and out.

Sounds of commotion drifted from within, though no people could be seen. From the gate, a paved path led to a grand hall at the far end—the main hall of the Marquis’s residence, though its doors were closed.

The gatekeepers noticed that Feng Xiaobao, though young, had a formidable presence, accompanied by a tall girl carrying a bow, equally impressive.

Though they were used to seeing scions of noble families, this pair—so young—still surpassed most royal princes, grandsons, heirs, and legitimate offspring of dukes.

Following them was a strong Kunlun slave, a rare sight.

Behind them came twelve youths, each carrying batons and spears wrapped in cloth. Though not fully grown and few in number, their vigor and discipline were striking—their formation was neat, their steps uniform, obeying commands without hesitation.

They wore no official uniforms nor luxurious attire (Tang Tian was likewise simply dressed), yet their bearing was exceptional.

A keen-eyed disciple spotted the two horses led by the twelve youths—one was certainly a prized steed, the other of considerable value, not something ordinary folk could afford. (Out of respect, they had not ridden up to the gate.)

The gatekeeper dared not neglect them, stepped forward and asked, “May I know, young master...?”

Feng Xiaobao said nothing; instead, one of the twelve, the captain Zhou Yu, stepped forward to answer, “Our master is Feng Dalang from the Old Lord’s Temple at Xiushan Lane, here to pay respects to Elder Marquis Li!”

Previously, Feng Xiaobao spoke directly, but after being advised, he adopted the noble manner—respecting others, letting his subordinates respond, reserving direct speech for peers.

The aristocratic way was even stricter—some nobles never set foot on the ground. “The supreme never touches earth,” they say, and carpets were laid for their every entrance and exit.

“The elder marquis is not receiving guests today...” This was a polite refusal—without an appointment, one could not simply see the master.

Zhou Yu replied, “Please inform the elder marquis. He will surely see our master!”

Seeing his certainty, the gatekeeper hesitated, then took Feng Xiaobao’s visiting card inside to report.

Sure enough, after the report, Feng Xiaobao and his party were granted entry to the residence!