Lord Shenxiu-Chapter 520: Butler (1800 Plus)

Villa.

Zhong Shenxiu returned to the study and instructed the butler, Old Brown, "Prepare an apartment, make sure it’s quiet, with good public order. A young lady will move in soon, and also prepare some cash for her usage."

"Your will shall be carried out." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Old Brown bowed and exited, closing the door behind him.

Half a minute later, Zhu Qingliu’s figure emerged from the illusion, staring in the direction the old butler had left, "Can he be trusted?"

She thought that he might be a heretic developed by Mr. Li Wei.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such an understanding without even asking.

"No... he simply thinks that I want to provide for a mistress..."

Zhong Shenxiu shrugged and said, "Living alone, beautiful woman, and occasional secretive meetings... it’s hard to believe she isn’t a mistress. But that’s common in Kaleston and not worth noticing..."

Suddenly, Zhu Qingliu wanted to slash this detestable Westerner with her sword.

Their views, their thoughts, were utterly disgusting to the extreme.

However... thinking of how he had easily taken her hair earlier, she still forcibly endured.

"Very good, calmness is a necessary quality for success."

Zhong Shenxiu applauded, "You make me feel that my investment could bear fruit."

"What do you want?"

Zhu Qingliu took a deep breath, finally calming her Dao Heart, and asked solemnly.

This Westerner was actually risking being hunted by a kingdom to save her, his ambitions must be grand!

"Collaboration!"

Zhong Shenxiu smiled and said, "Initially it’s about intelligence, but later there might be some joint actions, um... targeting Clement Kingdom."

This was actually a lie.

He merely casually supported a few cultivators he found worthy.

The more they stirred trouble here, obviously, it was also a form of rear battle, which might help Yan Han Battlefield somewhat.

Of course, just slightly.

"Which god do you worship?"

Zhu Qingliu asked again.

She was still worried that he was an enemy of the kingdom in disguise, trying to entice her to divulge more about others.

"A hidden existence, whose name you cannot know for now."

Zhong Shenxiu smiled, "I know you still have vigilance and doubts in your heart, but time will prove everything..."

...

Clement Kingdom used a special new calendar, changing the era name with each significant national event.

For instance, now it was the Falling Star Era, the 27th year, marking 27 years since the last massive meteor fell.

Recently, the parliament was debating that next year they would adopt a new era, named—Black Mist Dispersal Year!

In a trance, several months passed.

Zhong Shenxiu, while studying the book "Rites of Sacrificial Mysteries," revised some rituals aimed at ’Lord Shenxiu.’ He occasionally met with the mistress, cough, no, Zhu Qingliu, now called Anna, the female sword cultivator, every few weeks.

This female practitioner was still wary of him, contacting him only individually, but she had already leaked some intelligence.

For example, there wasn’t just one Eastern cultivator infiltrated.

And after suffering many losses, by capturing some mysterious knowledge and intelligence, they had rapidly adapted to anti-divination combat, becoming troublesome enough that fewer were caught.

But Zhong Shenxiu knew that they were just not dangerous enough yet.

Otherwise, if the kingdom employed truly formidable cursed artifacts, or if extraordinary beings of Demigod Level acted directly, they might face another severe blow.

Now, both sides maintained contact solely through Zhu Qingliu, an effective firewall indeed.

This day.

Breakfast time.

Zhong Shenxiu, while slicing pork sausages, glanced at the newspaper.

Aside from some advertisements and ordinary matters, the most substantial content was reports about the battlefield in the East.

As the official mouthpiece, it clearly wouldn’t reveal where defeats had occurred or the magnitude of the losses.

Everything described appeared splendid, as if the kingdom had achieved one victory after another in the ancient lands of the East.

But the wise could sense an ominous undertone in the text.

"This style of ’our side annihilating a hundred thousand enemies and advancing smoothly’... It feels somewhat familiar..."

Zhong Shenxiu set down the newspaper and snickered quietly.

It seemed the Clement Kingdom had already faced a defeat in the East; perhaps the Lightning Corps had been entirely wiped out.

Because later in the newspaper, the prices of various strategic resources were soaring rapidly.

The mobilization and system of total war were deeply affecting everyone’s life.

"Master... since there is news that Kaleston will implement rationing, I wish to request some funds to purchase essential living supplies for storage."

Old Brown stepped forward and spoke softly.

"That’s fine, I’ll give you one thousand pounds to purchase food, medicine, coffee, wine... Hmm, add another one thousand pounds to the budget, we also need firearms..."

Zhong Shenxiu pretended to think for a moment and approved the request readily.

"After all... if rationing really is implemented, the price of food on the black market will skyrocket..."

...

After finishing breakfast, he was enjoying a coffee said to be of Imperial style while watching Old Brown lead in a young man dressed as a manservant.

"Mr. Li Wei..."

Johan performed a smooth bow, evidently having practiced the gesture many times.

"Congratulations on your graduation, Johan."

Zhong Shenxiu set down his coffee cup and asked with a smile, "Are you satisfied with this job?"

"Thank you, sir, for rescuing me from the heavy labor at the docks..."

Johan replied very appropriately, "I have no further desires."

"In that case... I’m still missing a personal manservant by my side, you’ll start in that role for now," said Zhong Shenxiu, quite casually.

Johan suddenly looked up, noticing Old Brown’s unsurprised expression, as well as the envious glances from a few other manservants.

A personal manservant was certainly the master’s confidant!

They could be entrusted with significant responsibilities and might later be promoted to an assistant steward or even a proper steward.

This was a coveted position for any servant aiming to climb the social ladder!

And Zhong Shenxiu also felt that not having a personal manservant made him appear quite odd and unusual in social circles.

So, he nonchalantly chose someone who was pleasing to his eye.

"Sir... although I have only completed the basic course, I will strive to study diligently."

Johan’s voice unconsciously raised a notch.

"One of the big taboos at the workplace... Don’t say you will study diligently; why should others spend time teaching you? Instead of teaching someone to learn, why not hire an experienced hand?"

Zhong Shenxiu sipped his coffee, "Now... go organize my study!"

"Yes!"

Realizing he had misspoken, Johan quickly bowed and retreated, arriving at the study to tidy up the somewhat disordered desk.

Soon, he saw an antique-looking book lying quietly on the desk; with his limited vocabulary, he could barely make out the meaning of ’ritual.’

’A book involving the mystical?’

Johan felt a sudden thrill, but dared not flip through, carefully placing the books back in their original spots instead.

While cleaning the desk, he could also see some notes scattered across the white papers—the spontaneous musings of his master.

’Most ritual... subjects are quite problematic... must choose carefully...’

’The four true gods are the best targets... but too many pray to Them, and one might not receive a timely response...’

’Besides the four primary gods, there are too many dangerous entities hidden in secrecy... so, how to discern the danger? How to find the most worthy of worship?’

Those uncovered words involuntarily drew Johan’s gaze, deeply etching into his memory.

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