"The group of people joining the manor?"
Silence fell over the crowd.
"What does this mean?
Is it an invitation to join, or some kind of test? Or perhaps, it's both."
Luna Victor stepped forward first. He wanted to explain the true reason for their arrival. "Lying or making excuses isn't the right choice when facing a noble Sage of human "
But suddenly, the Great Confucian Wu Ding Xi of the Great Prosperian Dominion stopped him and stepped forward instead.
The three strongest individuals moved to stand before the mysterious Sage. Bowing respectfully, they spoke:
"Yes, Senior. We juniors have come to seek entry into the manor."
Zhao Yu heard their confirmation and cast another glance at the group of mortals before him.
All of them looked impoverished, their clothes dirty and torn, like refugees. Yet, these appearances couldn't completely conceal the noble air on their faces.
"This group… there's something extraordinary about them," Zhao Yu thought.
'And earlier, they referred to me as 'Sage'… Sage?
What could a group of mortals with no cultivation know about a Sage? Yet, seeing the sincerity in their expressions, it didn't seem like flattery or deceit.
How strange.
Still, these mortals are only here to serve as laborers. Judging by their demeanor, they likely held some status or wealth in the past.
Uhm . I'm overthinking this. For now, I need to focus on completing the task assigned by the Manor Lord. Mortals are just mortals—I can handle this.'
"I am Zhao Yu, the steward of this manor. By order of the Manor Lord, I am here to test you.
Each of you will step forward and take this medallion. If it resonates with you, it will light up. If not, you'll be disqualified."
The crowd listened to his lofty, enigmatic tone as though his words were veiled in mist, revealing nothing of his emotions.
Yet the content of his instructions left everyone momentarily stunned.
Then, one by one, they began to line up obediently, no longer showing any dissatisfaction toward the three seniors who had spoken out earlier.
'Having a Sage as a servant… Who exactly is the master of this manor?!'
'And for this Sage to speak, who would dare not join? This is clearly a direct challenge to the two Sages at the base of the mountain.'
'Incredible.'
Leading the way, the eldest prince, Luna Victor, stepped forward holding a banner.
"Honored Steward, I bring this banner with me. It may be an item lost from the manor."
Zhao Yu accepted the banner. A stream of information surged into his mind through the medallion: "Mission: Retrieve the lost banner… Status: Pending… ???"
"This is indeed the manor's lost banner. I will return it to the Manor Lord.
Take the medallion. Pass. Go through the line on the right. Next person."
Luna Victor was slightly startled. 'That's it?'
"Not accepted. Next."
(Those disqualified remained silent, their thoughts unreadable.)
With someone leading the way, the rest of the group could only follow suit.
Quickly, the test sorted 20 individuals into two groups. Among the selected were four princes, six princesses, seven dukes, and three elders.
Those who failed looked confused and dejected, standing to the left, their faces filled with disappointment.
Among them were Princess Lalatina Celeste and Arthur Sterling.
Zhao Yu noticed the somber expressions of the mortals and offered a few words of comfort:
"You shouldn't be so disheartened. There's plenty of wood in the forest—don't dwell on this setback."
Nearby, the two Great Confucian exchanged puzzled glances. "Something feels… off about this."
The disqualified group, however, could only remain silent.
Standing apart, the selected individuals, led by Luna Victor, looked at their siblings who hadn't made it. Luna Victor spoke:
"Don't be upset. Return safely for now."
One by one, others also stepped forward to console their family members.
Lalatina's younger half-sister, Lalatina An, approached her.
Looking at her once-proud sister now defeated and distraught, she hesitated. Though often bullied by Lalatina, she couldn't bear to see her like this.
"Sister, don't be sad. I'll do well here. You should go back and fulfill your engagement. I wish you happiness."
Zhao Yu overheard these exchanges and found them increasingly odd. Still, he didn't pay much attention. 'They're probably just the offspring of some wealthy mortal clans. It doesn't matter.'
Turning to the newly selected group, he addressed them sternly:
"You have passed and are now part of this manor.
No matter who you were before—noble heirs or generals—you must adhere to the rules and fulfill your assigned tasks.
The Manor Lord will personally explain the rules.
I advise you against any improper thoughts. Obey the laws. Understood?
The manor will provide for you. Now, follow me. I will show you your quarters."
As the group prepared to leave, Lalatina Celeste, who had been disqualified, refused to accept this outcome.
"An opportunity like this… I won't let it slip away just because of some vague selection process," she thought.
Summoning her courage, she let a few tears fall. Her voice trembled with determination as she pleaded:
"Honored Steward, I was not selected to join the manor. I have nowhere else to go.
If I return, I will be forced to marry a stranger… Please, grant me a chance to stay. If not, I can only end my life here… hic."
Zhao Yu silently observed her display of tears and desperation.
'If she dies here, it'll cause unrest among the mortals…
Even if she tries, she won't succeed.
Oh no. The manor has prohibited such actions. I can't use my power'
'But does she really have the guts?'
Unmoved, Zhao Yu's sharp gaze cut through her resolve.
"If you have the courage, go ahead."
Driven to a corner, Lalatina's eyes hardened with resolve. "I won't go back to such a life."
She removed her hairpin, her silky locks cascading down. Without hesitation, she aimed the sharp pin at her neck.
Seeing her determination, Zhao Yu quickly foresaw what would happen next.
"Stop! If you are so determined, I will reconsider."
Relieved, Lalatina lowered the pin and bowed gratefully.
"Thank you, Honored Steward, for giving me this chance."
Her actions seemed to ignite the spirits of the others who had been disqualified. They too began crying and pleading for a chance to stay, their eyes filled with unwavering determination.
"This crazy group…" Zhao Yu thought as he glanced at the selected individuals, signaling them to intervene.
Chaos ensued. Some argued for their inclusion, while others opposed it.
Looking at the scene before him, Zhao Yu found it increasingly bizarre. "Why are they so desperate? It's just a servant's role—why go to such lengths?"
"Why did you come here? And how?"
"Honored Steward, we followed that banner," Luna Victor replied.
Zhao Yu thinks.
'The lost banner? The Manor Lord's abilities are unparalleled—there's no way an item representing the manor's face would go missing.
More likely, the Lord sent it outside for a purpose.'
'Could it be…? A Sage? The noble demeanor of these people…'
'Destiny cannot be forced.'
'It's possible the Manor Lord cast a spell on the banner. These people are likely nobles ensnared by its magic, brought here to fill the manor's vacancies.
Though the Manor Lord is eccentric, meddling with mortals is wrong—subject to ridicule and punishment during tribulation.
What was the Manor Lord thinking?'
'Perhaps the manor feels too empty, driving the Manor Lord to such extremes.
I need to intervene before the Manor Lord harms himself.'
"Listen, my Lord has a difficult personality, not easy to serve. He enjoys toying with others, especially noblewomen.
You're quite beautiful—I advise you to leave."
Before he could finish, Lalatina interrupted:
"I have no way out. If I fail to enter, my parents will force me into a marriage. Such a life would be no better than death."
Everyone is silent, the manager is badmouthing his master???
Got it.
As expected of a person who has attained enlightenment, living true to himself, without hypocrisy.
Enlightenment dawned.
Seeing her determination, Zhao Yu hesitated.
'This mortal girl… And why would the Manor Lord act this way? What should I do?'
'Why do I even have to clean up this mess? The Manor Lord should handle his own problems before it's too late.'
"Wait here. I'll fetch the Manor Lord."
As Zhao Yu departed, the group was left in stunned silence, exchanging glances with one another.
The selected individuals shook their heads.
"You've caused trouble. You should've just listened to me from the start."
Lalatina Celeste:
'Did I just cause a huge problem? What do I do now?'