Inside the inn, Chu Xiu rubbed his face in the bronze mirror. Just now, he had killed a man cleanly and ruthlessly, yet he felt no discomfort whatsoever. In his previous life, Chu Xiu had watched underground black boxing and death games seeking thrills, but he had never personally killed anyone. His performance just now was mostly due to this life's memories.
Previously in the Chu family, Chu Xiu had indeed acted very cowardly. But in a place like the Southern Mountain mines, facing all kinds of criminals and vicious thugs, the original personality would be influenced by the environment, changing from cowardice to violent madness. Even in his memories, it seemed he had beaten several disobedient criminals to death in the Southern Mountain mines. Now Chu Xiu vaguely understood why, in the original world, this body would transform from a cowardly family illegitimate son into the final villain of the third edition. The experience in the Southern Mountain mines had greatly influenced Chu Xiu.
Perhaps even the Chu family themselves couldn't have imagined that their family infighting would result in the creation of a great demon who would throw the world into chaos. After nightfall, Chu Xiu suddenly called over one of his servants—Gao Bei.
Gao Bei was responsible for managing the dozen or so servants under him. Of course, though called a minor leader, he was actually still a servant, and his status within the Chu family was very low—otherwise, he wouldn't have been assigned to follow Chu Xiu. In Chu Xiu's memories, this Gao Bei had mediocre abilities. He had come to the Chu family as a servant in his teens and had always done odd jobs. Though not skilled at sycophancy, his performance was diligent and conscientious. It took nearly ten years before he was taught some crude martial arts, reached the Body Tempering Realm, and followed the merchant caravans for experience a few times. But within the Chu family, he remained completely obscure.
A year ago, Chu Xiu was framed by his third brother for a major mistake and banished to the Southern Mountain mines. However, he was after all the Chu family's Second Young Master. Even if utterly neglected, he still needed some reliable servants prepared for him. So this always diligent Gao Bei was thrown to Chu Xiu's side. But he was honest by nature and had no complaints. This year by Chu Xiu's side was no different from his time in the Chu family.
Gao Bei: "Young Master, you called for me?"
Gao Bei carefully entered, looking at Chu Xiu. A hint of fear still showed in his eyes—clearly, the day's events had greatly shocked him.
Chu Xiu looked at Gao Bei indifferently:
Chu Xiu: "Gao Bei, you've been in the Chu family for over ten years, working diligently, yet you're still a servant, receiving two taels of silver monthly—only slightly higher than those who sweep and do odd jobs. Those who entered the Chu family with you have either been transferred to merchant caravans or become shopkeepers of various stores. Some have even become stewards within the Chu family. Do you feel any unwillingness?"
Gao Bei pursed his lips. He wasn't truly stupid. Watching his companions who entered the Chu family with him advance further than him, while he, because he was too honest, couldn't flatter or please others, and always offended people, remained at the bottom—of course he felt uncomfortable in his heart.
But Gao Bei's only advantage was knowing his own limitations. He smiled bitterly at Chu Xiu:
Gao Bei: "Young Master, I, Gao Bei, am clumsy of mouth and clumsy of person. All these years, the Chu family hasn't driven me out and even let me change from a sweeping, odd-job servant to a guard serving the Second Young Master. This servant is already content."
Chu Xiu looked directly into Gao Bei's eyes:
Chu Xiu: "No, you're not content. Even a stray dog, if you feed it fine meat for a year, won't want to go back to eating leftovers mixed with rice. If a dog is like this, how much more so a human? Humans are never truly content."
Chu Xiu's gaze seemed to see through his eyes into the depths of his heart. This made Gao Bei involuntarily step back, his mouth moving but not knowing what to say.
Withdrawing his gaze, Chu Xiu then slowly said:
Chu Xiu: "You know my status in the Chu family. You were assigned to my side, so we share weal and woe, honor and disgrace together."
Gao Bei hurriedly said:
Gao Bei: "This servant understands."
Chu Xiu shook his head:
Chu Xiu: "No, you don't understand. Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor depend on heaven. Everything must be seized and fought for by oneself. Of those servants who entered the Chu family with you back then, some became shopkeepers, some became stewards. But more died in merchant caravans, died in the struggles between my Chu family and other families."
Speaking to this point, Chu Xiu's tone became deep and remote:
Chu Xiu: "Future prospects, wealth and honor—these must be fought for with one's life. Before, you never even had the opportunity to risk your life! Now I'll give you a chance. Go to Shangmang Mountain outside Yuanbao Town, find the bandit leader there, and help me deliver a message. Succeed, and one hundred taels of silver are yours. From now on, you, Gao Bei, will be my confidant."
Saying this, Chu Xiu directly placed a one hundred tael banknote on the table, saying indifferently:
Chu Xiu: "At your monthly wage in the Chu family, even if you didn't eat or drink, how many taels could you save in a year? I still remember—your parents are both deceased, but you still have a younger brother entrusted to your uncle's family. He should be of age now. Wanting to find a wife in Tongzhou Prefecture—the price isn't low."
A hint of struggle flashed across Gao Bei's face. Shangmang Mountain outside Yuanbao Town was no good place. It was all barren mountains without proper roads, but bandits ran rampant there—all people who would kill at the slightest disagreement. Now the Second Young Master actually wanted him to find them?
But the price Chu Xiu offered made him unable to refuse.
He was an honest man, but precisely because he was honest, he had seen no opportunities or hope of advancement in this life. Now Chu Xiu placed an opportunity before him. Even with the danger of losing his life, Gao Bei couldn't bear to give it up. In the end, he still gritted his teeth and took the one hundred tael banknote in his hand.
If this were the former Chu Xiu, Gao Bei would absolutely not have agreed. But today, having seen Chu Xiu's ruthless side, he felt both shocked and respectful, not daring to refuse. Chu Xiu nodded in satisfaction. He called Gao Bei over, whispered instructions in his ear, and sent him off directly that night.