Chapter 19: This Young Master Still Needs A Break

Chapter 19: This Young Master Still Needs A Break

Good morning Young Master Chen!

Manager Song had taken to his forcibly occupied role with gusto. It hadnt taken him long to get familiar with the estate and the serving staff. He was remarkably diligent in performing his new duties as well. Chen Haoran learned this because he had grilled Manager Song with questions, ostensibly under the guise of testing him, to learn about all the inner workings and details he couldnt ask Manager Lin. Seeing as how he was stuck with Manager Song he might as well extract whatever benefits he could.

Dont you have anything more important to do? Chen Haoran said.

What could be more important than serving Young Master Chen? Manager Song said, smiling.

Chen Haoran snorted in annoyance. Manager Song was just as cheerful as he was shameless. It aggravated him even more that he was so tense around such a happy-looking man. Manager Songs cheerfulness wasnt enough to make him drop his guard however, he wouldnt forget just how easily the bald man shrugged off his strongest blow.

He needed to keep his distance.

In the following days, Manager Song would not leave him alone. In the halls, in the dining hall, in the gardens, in the bedroom, and in the baths. Constantly flittering around like an attention-starved pet and chirping in his ear all sorts of questions. What are you doing today? What are you doing tomorrow? What are you doing here, there, everywhere.

But Manager Song never asked what he did before.

The training field was Chen Haorans only sanctuary. The rhythmic circulation of his qi calmed his mind; the furious torrent of the Canyon Carving Sword vented his frustrations. The basics that Lan Fen first beat into him, then taught to beat into himself, tempered him. For all the stress that playing another life took on him. For all the fear that hung behind every thought he had. Chen Haoran was grateful for this. Lan Fen had called cultivation an act of continuous self-perfection. He could feel the truth of it with every breath of qi, and every perfect cycle. It was a feeling he would have killed for back on Earth. A feeling he probably did kill for if he was responsible for whatever happened to the original Young Master.

Chen Haoran only ever thought about the history the person before him left behind. He never considered what happened to the Young Master after he occupied his body. Perhaps he died and moved on. Chen Haoran hoped that wherever the Young Master was, it sucked.

He completed his routine. Basic stabs, thrusts, and slashing. It was good to practice on his own but he needed a sparring partner to put it all together. Hed have to find one of the guards despite his discomfort, if he wanted to grow he couldnt just practice against Lan Fen forever.

There was a sound of ecstatic clapping. Manager Song had appeared out of nowhere. Chen Haoran frowned. Manager Song had no presence in his sense. His superior cultivation didnt burn him the way the Golden Lily Associations supervisor did. Lan Fen had said hed adjust to it but it was too soon for that to be the case. Chen Haoran thought of how Manager Song appeared right behind him when they first met, and the shadow that emerged from his hand.

Manager Song was a super cultivator ninja. A wonderful fact that surely wouldnt keep him up at night.

Your progress is outstanding Young Master Chen! Manager Song exuberantly said. Truly it brings a tear to this servants eye to see how diligently you practice.

Stuff it. What do you want.

How could I dare desire anything from Young Master Chen? I was merely passing by when I noticed you were practicing.

Pigs would fly before Chen Haoran believed that. Manager Song was clearly monitoring him, had been monitoring him every time he went to train in fact. Even though he couldnt sense Manager Song it was obvious he wouldnt actually leave him alone. The question now was why he chose to reveal himself. It wasnt like his real strength was unknown to Manager Song.

Was he looking for the techniques? Chen Haoran was familiar enough with them now that he didnt really need the books anymore so he hadnt pulled them out. It wasnt a bad idea to try and use them to get the Chen family off his back though. It wasnt like he worked hard to get them anyway.

Why are you helping me? he asked. Manager Song was annoying but what he was teaching him wasnt nonsense. Chen Haoran could appreciate just how much potential Harmonization had with the power of the Canyon Carving Sword. The issue was what Manager Song had to gain from it. Chen Haorans cultivation? He knew it already. His trust? Manager Song took every moment to aggravate him.

You are the Young Master of the Chen family I serve, Manager Song said. His tone was surprisingly formal. Assisting you in your practice is only natural.

Manager Song made it sound obvious but it startled Chen Haoran to hear it. He had known, intellectually, that he was the Young Master of the Chen family. He knew it was an identity that brought him protection and benefits but he never actually thought of himself as a member of the Chen family. To him, they were a threat that at any moment could expose the lie hed been living. In Manager Songs eyes, however, despite being the object of his investigation he was still the Young Master. Perhaps Chen Haoran had been approaching this situation all wrong.

Should I still keep calling you Manager Song?

Pardon? The confusion on Manager Songs face was sweet.

Youre teaching me, and youre a higher realm than me. I cant just call you Manager Song all the time now can I? Rather than push him away Chen Haoran should use his identity to get closer to Manager Song. What better start than his nominal superior calling him by name?

Manager Songs smile bloomed. Then in that case Teacher So-,

Hell no.

Manager Song laughed. He looked just as happy as he usually did but it felt gentler. If it pleases Young Master Chen then you may call me Song Yuelin.

Thank you for your help today then Song Yuelin, Chen Haoran said. He clasped his hands. He didnt bow but the gesture was enough. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Likewise, Young Master Chen. Song Yuelin bowed in return.

Now if youll excuse me I have to continue my practice. Chen Haoran turned to leave.

Where are you going Young Master Chen?

To find a guard to spar with.

Dont you have a sparring partner right here?

Chen Haoran stopped dead in his tracks. Song Yuelin blinked at him innocently. He reached out with his sense. Song Yuelin was still a Liquid Meridian Realm cultivator. There was only one answer.

No.

Excellent! Here I come Young Master Chen!

Chen Haoran regretted ever trying to be kind.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om