016: Thea's Plea
Thea, the little servant girl in the inn where Zemirah previously stayed, was the one who knocked. She followed behind Wendy to the pavilion where Zemirah sat. The little servant girl has lost her previous easygoing smile, with her eyes swollen from crying and her nose red.
Just one look and Zemirah knew that something happened.
In view of her promise and the previous amicable relationship, she asked concernedly, "Little Thea, what happened?"
The little servant girl who has been suppressing her emotions suddenly cried at the long-lost soothing and elegant voice of the woman she admired.
"My lady." She hiccups.
Zemirah saw her tears and flustered appearance so she motioned for her to take a seat first and drink tea.
The spiritual tea is known for being gentle, so she's not worried about letting a mortal drink a Grade 2 spiritual tea.
Thea initially didn't think much about the tea and took a sip to calm her emotions when she felt a gentle spiritual energy sweeping her body. It was so gentle that she felt her emotions calm down and her body was cleansed.
The spiritual energy is a miraculous energy unique to cultivation worlds. It was being used by the cultivators to strengthen themselves and reach immortality.
For a mortal, being able to absorb spiritual energy inside their body and not lose it, is a fortuitous encounter. Maybe they can even stimulate the spiritual root in their body.
Thea calmed down for a while then she realized this fact, so her emotions was stimulated again and wanted to cry to this beautiful and generous lady in front of her.
"My lady." She wanted to thank her very much but was also ashamed that she came here asking for help.
Zemirah saw her hesitation, "Calm down first and talk later."
Thea was silent and nodded obediently. After a while, she finally remembered her purpose in coming here, she became determined and spoke, "My lady, I have a presumptuous request."
Zemirah didn't speak immediately and thought for a bit. If it is really presumptuous then she has to think twice.
"Speak," Zemirah nodded.
Thea took a deep breath before saying, "I and my family want to ask for refuge under my lady's wings."
Zemirah and Wendy were puzzled at this sudden request.
Zemirah knew Thea, the little girl was smart and clever. She wouldn't say this without a good reason especially since they have a master who is an official in the Town Hall.
"What happened?"
Thea saw that Zemirah didn't immediately refuse and was relieved. Then she proceeds to tell her story.
The official they were serving was one of the people who led a team to hunt Demonic Cultivators under the Town Lord's order. That official is a Low-Stage Energy Refinement Cultivator, his fighting ability is quite good since he's a veteran and can even contend with some Mid-Stage Energy Refinement realm cultivators so his status to the town lord is good.
However, three days ago, news about the annihilation of two teams that the Town Lord ordered for the hunt has spread. One of these teams has that official who is now confirmed to be dead.
Now, the people under him are facing the attack of other opportunistic people. The inn where Zemirah previously stayed has been eyed by different forces, so Thea went to seek refuge with Zemirah after her family's consideration.
"Those forces, tell me about them." Zemirah frowned at this point.
Thea didn't dare lie and said truthfully what she knew, "There is an official from the Town Hall, a cultivation family that has a Peak-Stage Energy Refinement Realm patriarch, and a wild sword cultivator."
Zemirah thought for a moment before saying, "If you seek refuge in me, you will have to leave the inn and be my servant."
Thea quickly nodded at her words, "That's for sure, my lady. My parents and I only want to survive and not be caught in the storm."
Zemirah knew that most mortals suffer from the cultivator's wrath, so she sighed at these words. "Leave a notice that you'll leave the inn and be my servants. Also, do not forget to tell them that I am not interested in your previous master's properties so that we won't be targeted without a good reason."
Thea smiled and was relieved, which means that the lady accepted her and her family.
"Yes, my lady."
"Do it immediately so you can move into my yard today." Zemirah also thought that it was good that Thea and her family came since she needed a servant by her side.
Zemirah and her disciple are so busy cultivating and practicing that they sometimes forget some things in their daily life. It's not good since cultivators are not immortals, they are just stronger than mortals. Which means that they still need to eat, drink and sleep.
Thea nodded.
Zemirah thought for a moment before taking out 3 talismans and handing them to Thea. "Take these talismans as a life-saving card."
Thea didn't look at what the talisman and thanked Zemirah gratefully. She knew Zemirah was generous and a famous talisman master who was known for her high-quality talismans. She has also experienced the way Zemirah gives gifts away, so she knew the talisman was a good thing.
"Thank you, my lady."
Zemirah nodded and waved her hand, "Go early and come back early." She said as she listened to Sia's voice in her mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering 8 Fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Low-Stage Grade 2 2X [Earth Heart Protection Talisman].
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for triggering 9 Fold back and getting a Supreme-Quality Low-Stage Grade 2 [Blade Snow Hail Talisman].
One is an offensive talisman while the other two are a defensive talisman.
The talismans she received are good and can be used without attracting attention since they are just Supreme-Quality – Well, Supreme-Quality is also coveted but not as outrageous as Celestial-Quality.
Wendy asked Zemirah after Thea left, "Master, what would happen to the official's properties and his family after he died?"
Wendy saw the precarious situation of Thea and her family after their previous master died, and she wondered what will be the situation of others.
Zemirah is also not sure but she's not a fool so she can make a few reasonable guesses, "The families will be protected by the Town Lord since his subordinate died from his order and the other properties will be kept. Though most will surely be taken away by other forces."
Wendy was silent at her words, so Zemirah took this chance to give her disciple a lesson, "You have to remember that power is not the most important in this world, it is to be alive and well. Do you understand?"
Wendy was quite surprised at her words before pondering deeply, "I understand. Power is useless if one is unhappy and dead."
Zemirah laughed at her wording and nodded, "Very good. My disciple is really smart."
Wendy giggled at her master's coaxing tone.
Then they resumed their previous study where Zemirah explained to Wendy the important points to remember about the footwork and the sword techniques.
"After you practice your footwork to Lesser Mastery, you can try to fuse the Footwork Technique and Sword Technique, I'll guide you again that time."
Wendy happily nodded, "Yes, master."
That afternoon, Thea went back with her family. They brought their things in bags since space storage is rare and only cultivators can access them using spiritual consciousness.
Speaking of spiritual consciousness, Zemirah vaguely felt that the reason her talisman-making skills didn't advance even a bit to making Celestial-Quality was that her spiritual consciousness was lacking.
Although her spiritual consciousness is stronger than most cultivators especially since she's a transmigrator, it only allowed her to reach Supreme-Quality talismans.
It seems that she needs to find some Spiritual Practice Manual to train her spiritual consciousness so that she can advance her talisman skills.
But this a where her problem lies, techniques are precious knowledge tightly held by various factions. Especially secret techniques and spiritual practice manuals.
Her previous Sect is destroyed and she can be considered a wild cultivator right now. Where would she go and find a spiritual practice manual?
Zemirah cast aside her thoughts about this subject and paid attention to the family of three in front of her. She met Thea's parents before but her interaction with them is short, she only remembers that this family is quite honest and hard working which is why she is not against keeping them.
Thea stepped forward, "My lady, everything back at the inn has been settled."
Zemirah was satisfied with their quick action and nodded, "That's good."
She gestured to the seats, "Have a seat and we'll have a good talk about your situation."
Wendy was sitting beside her master silently and the family of three sat in front of them. She politely filled cups of tea and smiled.
"Thea has served me at the inn, so I'm quite assured of her working for me in my residence this time. I want you to tell me your situation, so I know what to expect."
Zemirah sipped on her tea after speaking to moisten her throat.
The husband and wife, Thea's parents looked at each other and nodded. The husband spoke first and said that he could run errands around the town and even the surrounding villages, he could also farm. While his wife can cook, clean the house, and manage the financial accounts.
Zemirah nodded and let them occupy a room near the backyard. While Thea can have her own small room too.
She said, "Thea can be my personal servant, while Mr. and Mrs. Manson can take care of the daily necessities like food and run errands for me."
They agreed with her words without protest.
Zemirah took the initiative to mention the salary, "You can receive 10 Gold Coins every month. I just want you to do your responsibilities right."
Their eyes widened at the mention of 10 Gold Coins since their previous salary was only 500 Silver Coins.
Gold coins are the highest currency for mortals, their previous salary is already considered high as they work for a Town Official and a cultivator at that.
"My lady, this, this seems too much – " The husband wanted to remind their new mistress but Zemirah just smiled.
"Just do your best in your duties."
They didn't say much after that and only vowed to work hard and be worthy of the lady's trust. Thea was also happy to hear it and knew in her heart that seeking refuge from the lady was the best choice.
She isn't as arrogant or temperamental as other cultivators, she's beautiful, generous, and kind.
'Anyone would like to work for her', thought Thea in her heart.
The next day, Zemirah was greeted with warm food made by Thea and her mother. She ate with Wendy before continuing their daily cultivation.
Wendy went to the bare garden to practice her sword and footwork while Zemirah sat on the pavilion to make talismans. The talismans she makes are her attempt to maximize her chance of making supreme quality talismans.
She wanted to perfect her talisman-making of both Low-Stage, Mid-Stage, and Late-Stage Grade 1 talismans, then when she advanced to Peak-Stage, she could easily get started.
As her personal servant, Thea always stays near Zemirah, ready to listen to orders.
She stood on the side watching both the master and disciple cultivate. She marvels how the lady makes talismans like every stroke of the brush of ink into the paper contains a deep mystery.
She envies how Wendy can swing the sword and use spiritual energy as a cultivator. She remembered that they were once both a mortal knowing nothing about cultivation. Yet the other person has already embarked on the road of immortality while she didn't change.
The other person also has the most admired lady in her heart as her master.
Thea can only sigh at how different people have a different life.