The charming widow of the Marquis's mansion: The stable boy carries the flag and raises the dra

A sword rang out!

A terrifying sword aura condensed and slanted downwards.

The sword energy grazed past Shen Yue's ear and pierced through an old locust tree three zhang behind him.

On the tree trunk, which is as thick as a bowl, there is a smooth, mirror-like hole that is transparent from both sides.

Sunlight streamed through the hole, casting a round patch of light on the ground.

Shen Yue stood frozen in place, a bead of cold sweat sliding down his forehead and dripping onto the ground from the tip of his nose.

He slowly lowered his head and looked at his chest.

His clothes were intact, and his skin was intact.

The sword energy went astray.

Do not!

Wang Long showed mercy.

The courtyard was deathly silent.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, their minds blank.

A tree branch.

A wisp of sword energy.

It pierced through the tree trunk three zhang away.

What kind of move is this?

What kind of power is this?

Isn't he a first-rank martial artist?

How is that possible...?

Qin Minglan's almond-shaped eyes widened, her mouth slightly open, and she stared intently at the smooth hole in the tree trunk, as if frozen in place.

"Sword energy..."

She muttered to herself, her voice trembling.

"This old bastard... he can actually unleash sword energy?!"

Sword energy.

That is a power that requires profound swordsmanship and ultimate control over spiritual energy to condense.

Normally only sword cultivators of the fourth rank or above can do this.

And Wang Long—

An old stable boy who was still a cripple three days ago and had just entered the first rank—

It actually unleashed sword energy?!

How is this possible?!

Wang Long slowly gathered up the branch, slightly hunching his back, reverting to his humble old servant demeanor.

He looked at Shen Yue, grinned, and revealed a mouthful of yellow teeth.

"Commander Shen, you flatter me."

Shen Yue stood still, motionless, like a stone statue.

After a long while, he slowly turned his head and looked at the old locust tree behind him that had been pierced.

Sunlight streamed through the hole, shining brightly on his face.

He took a deep breath, turned to look at Wang Long, and clasped his hands in a salute.

"I lost."

His voice was calm, without resentment or anger, only a heartfelt sense of admiration.

The courtyard was finally in an uproar.

"They won?! That old bastard won?!"

"A second-rank martial artist! Commander Shen is a second-rank martial artist!"

"Just one twig! He used only one twig!"

"What kind of technique is that? Sword energy? Isn't that something only high-level martial artists can use?"

"Just who is this old man? He's been raising horses in the Marquis's mansion for sixty years; has he been hiding his true strength all this time?"

"Oh my god, I used to insult him, I hope he won't come after me..."

Amid the clamor of discussion, Wang Long turned around and looked at Luo Hanyi, who was in the main seat.

He bowed slightly, his posture humble and his voice respectful.

"Madam, this old servant has won by sheer luck."

Luo Hanyi stared at him, her gaze sharp as a knife, as if she wanted to see right through him.

After a long silence, she slowly spoke, her voice regaining its usual coolness.

"Wang Long wins."

The courtyard was filled with noisy discussions, but Wang Long paid no attention to them.

He simply bowed slightly, maintaining a humble posture, with his usual slightly ingratiating smile on his face.

Luo Hanyi stood up from the main seat, her long, crimson dress trailing on the blue bricks, making a soft rustling sound.

She glanced at Wang Long, her gaze complex, but said nothing.

"Minglan, let's go."

Qin Minglan was still standing by the pillar, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, staring at Wang Long and looking him up and down as if she were seeing this old stable boy for the first time.

"Sister-in-law, that old man—"

Qin Minglan has always loved practicing swordsmanship, but unfortunately there are no skilled swordsmen in the Marquis's mansion. She really wants to learn the sword technique that Wang Long just used!

"Walk."

Luo Hanyi's voice turned colder, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Qin Minglan pursed her lips, glanced at Wang Long, and then jogged to catch up with Luo Hanyi.

The two women, sister-in-law and aunt, passed through the main hall and disappeared behind the screen wall.

The courtyard became even more lively.

"Uncle Wang!"

"Grandpa Wang is awesome!"

"Uncle Wang, that move you just made was absolutely amazing! You took down Commander Shen with just a tree branch!"

A group of servants swarmed forward, surrounding Wang Long, their faces plastered with fawning smiles.

The way they called him "Uncle Wang" was incredibly affectionate, as if they were old friends who hadn't seen Wang Long for many years.

Just yesterday, many of these people called him "old thing" to his face and cursed him as "old codger" behind his back.

Wang Long was too lazy to pay attention to these sycophantic people and turned to leave.

"Uncle Wang... Uncle Wang!"

At this moment, a clear voice rang out, tinged with a bit of panting.

Wang Long paused and turned around.

Chunlan came running over, her face flushed from running, and fine beads of sweat appeared on the tip of her nose.

She wore a bright green vest with a pale yellow handkerchief tied around her waist, which accentuated her slender waist.

Her face, which used to be filled with disgust and harshness, was now beaming with smiles, her eyes crinkling, and she even looked somewhat pretty and charming.

The servants quickly made way for Chunlan when they saw her.

This is the First Madam's personal maid, she has a very high status, and they dare not provoke her.

"Miss Chunlan."

Wang Long narrowed his eyes slightly, looked her up and down, and spoke in a neutral tone.

"What's the matter?"

Chunlan is usually very harsh towards Wang Long, but today she seems very well-behaved.

Chunlan ran up to him, took a couple of breaths, then straightened up, clasped her hands in front of her, and bowed respectfully to Wang Long.

"Master Wang, the Madam has instructed me to arrange new accommodations for you."

Her voice was soft and respectful, a stark contrast to the maid who had pinched her nose and called "Wang Long" like an old dog just a few days ago.

Wang Long raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? A gift from the First Madam?"

"Yes."

Chunlan nodded, her smile as sweet as honey.

"The First Madam said that since you, Master Wang, are going to represent the Marquis's Mansion in the battle and have made great contributions, you can no longer live in the stable. She specially asked me to prepare a quiet courtyard for you to live in."

Wang Long's heart stirred.

Luo Hanyi, this woman, has finally decided to move to a different place.

He had long since stopped wanting to live in that drafty stable.

"Lead the way!"

Wang Long nodded, his attitude towards Chunlan neither warm nor cold.

Chunlan quickly stepped aside and made a "please" gesture.

"This way, Master Wang. This servant will show you the way."

The two walked one after the other through the hanging flower gate, around the screen wall, and along a blue brick path toward the east side of the Marquis's mansion.

Everyone watched Wang Long's departing figure with envy.

If only they could become martial artists too!

The maids and servants they encountered along the way all showed surprise upon seeing Wang Long, and then bowed their heads and respectfully called him "Master Wang".

Wang Long remained calm and nodded slightly in response.

Chunlan walked ahead, glancing back at him every now and then, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Wang Long noticed it, but remained silent.

After passing through a moon gate, a bright and open space suddenly appeared before me.

A small, exquisite courtyard appeared before us.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it was kept very clean.

The ground was paved with blue bricks, and a clump of green bamboo grew in the corner of the wall, rustling in the wind.

The main house has three rooms, facing south, and the doors and windows are newly painted, giving off a varnish smell.

A lantern hung under the eaves, its red silk surface swaying gently in the wind.

"Uncle Wang, this is it."

Chunlan pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped aside to let Wang Long go in first.

"This is a side courtyard in the east wing of the Marquis's residence. Although it is not large, it is quiet and close to the main hall. The First Madam said that it is convenient for you to be at her service at any time."

Wang Long walked into the courtyard and looked around.

The main room was simply furnished with a four-poster bed, an eight-immortal table, two official-hat chairs, and a writing desk with the Four Treasures of the Study on it placed by the window.

Although it wasn't exactly luxurious, it was a world of difference for an old stable boy who had slept in the stable for sixty years.

"good."

Wang Long nodded, a satisfied look on his face.

"You've gone to so much trouble, Madam."

Chunlan stood at the door, her hands folded in front of her, her smile warm and attentive.

"I'm glad you're satisfied, Master Wang. Please tell me what else you need, and I'll get it for you."

Wang Long turned around and looked at Chunlan.

Her delicate face was full of smiles, but her eyes darted away, avoiding his gaze.

Wang Long's lips curled slightly as he slowly walked up to her.

Chunlan subconsciously took a step back, her back hitting the door frame.

"Master Wang...Master Wang?"