Chapter 34: Guardian? Beat Him!

Chu Danqing dismissed the two maidservants; he was about to open the treasure chest and didn’t want outsiders present.

【You opened: Treasure Chest (Excellent Rank), obtained: Xiliang Infantry Armor, Paradise Points ×1700】

【Xiliang Infantry Armor】

【Type: Equipment·Armor】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Defense: 20】

【Canvas (Passive): Agility +1】

【Equipment Requirement: Strength 7, Constitution 7】

Chu Danqing glanced at it and tossed it into his storage space.

Wearing it does add one point of Agility, yes, but it’s not permanent—remove it and the bonus vanishes.

Compared to Agility, he needed ten more points of Defense; Big Bao couldn’t wear it anyway, so he’d just sell it later.

“The hierarchy among treasure chests is truly harsh.”

The Excellent-rank treasure chest from Qingya Bandit Camp and the one from the Cave Beast Priest were worlds apart.

That’s only natural—the contents of a treasure chest are tied to the slain creature’s kind.

What merit did these bandits have to even compare themselves to a Cave Beast Priest?

“Still, it’s far better than the guaranteed thousand points.” Chu Danqing watched his Paradise Points recover and felt satisfied.

Knock knock knock~

A knock came at the door; Big Bao rose to open it.

“You—what do you want?” Big Bao looked down at a burly man holding a food box.

The man’s face stiffened, forcing a strained smile: “I’ve brought you some food.”

Big Bao reached out, took the box, and shut the door.

“He wanted to fight, got scared off.” Big Bao set the box on the table; Chu Danqing took it out and placed it before Big Bao.

Big Bao’s hands were too big to reach inside, so Chu Danqing had to do it for him.

“Probably a show of force—or someone egged him on.” Chu Danqing guessed possible motives, already weighing how to handle it.

Don’t harbor ill will, but don’t let your guard down.

Big Bao devoured the food in huge bites, swallowing it all in seconds.

“Average.” Big Bao added his evaluation.

“It’s ancient times—normal.” Chu Danqing understood; ancient food could never match modern seasonings.

A single packet of monosodium glutamate could make a cook a culinary god in ancient times.

Claims that ancient food tasted better because it was “natural” were nonsense—did they think modern agronomists and botanists were just decorations?

Modern crops yield more and taste far superior.

If you said ancients knew how to have fun, Chu Danqing couldn’t imagine how, but their food? Not necessarily delicious.

At best, they had rare delicacies modern people couldn’t replicate—but in flavor, a street food alley could easily compete.

The wisdom of science and processed food was beyond ancient cooks’ imagination.

“Not full.” Big Bao mumbled again.

Chu Danqing pulled out a pile of food from his storage space.

Big Bao’s consumption wasn’t arbitrary—he needed large quantities of food daily to replenish.

But he could also consume massive amounts at once to store nutrients.

Chu Danqing had considered stocking up on high-nutrition, easily absorbed compressed rations to reduce Big Bao’s eating frequency and volume.

But that wasn’t even the best solution—the best was feeding Big Bao medicinal stews made from heavenly treasures.

The problem was he had no heavenly treasures; Big Bao would just have to make do for now.

As Big Bao swallowed food, another knock came at the door.

This time, Chu Danqing opened it himself.

The visitor, seeing Chu Danqing instead of Big Bao, relaxed: “I assume you’re Master Chu, the extraordinary man Lady Lu and Young Master Lu brought into the household?”

“Extraordinary? I wouldn’t say that—but yes, it’s me.” Chu Danqing didn’t deny it: “Who are you?”

“I am Gao Jie, head of the Lu household’s retainers. I heard Young Master Lu petitioned Elder Lu to appoint you as a guest-sponsor—and I find it outrageous.”

“I came to see what tricks or arts you truly possess,” Gao Jie bowed, stating his intent.

The Lu household had guest-sponsors before, but each was renowned; how could a nobody like Chu Danqing hold such a post?

He feared Chu Danqing had deceived the Lu heirs with underhanded tricks, so he came to test him.

Earlier, he’d sent a retainer—who fled in terror, claiming there was a talking beast.

“Big Bao, beat him.” Chu Danqing stepped aside, clearing space for Big Bao to advance.

Only then did Gao Jie see Big Bao inside—but it was too late; Big Bao charged forward without a word.

A massive red-furred fist swung toward Gao Jie’s chest.

Gao Jie’s expression twisted; he opened his mouth to speak—but the fist struck his chest.

The blow sent him flying backward.

Big Bao moved faster, grabbed his leg, yanked him back, and slammed his face into the wall.

He let Gao Jie slowly slide to the ground.

Then Big Bao released him and returned to Chu Danqing’s side: “Beat him.”

Big Bao wasn’t intelligent, but he knew the difference between “kill” and “beat.”

Kill meant death; beat meant punishment—he held back his strength to avoid killing or seriously injuring.

Gao Jie rose, bruised and swollen, every part of him aching.

“Head Retainer Gao, you’re pathetic,” Chu Danqing mocked: “With your third-rate skills, how do you guard this household?”

Chu Danqing wasn’t made of clay; you came here to provoke him—did he owe you a smile?

Besides, he was invited by Lu Yin and Lu Qiaoyun; you’re just an employee—why do you care who the bosses hire?

He wasn’t polite; Chu Danqing wouldn’t kiss his ass.

Gao Jie’s face flushed red and white under Chu Danqing’s words.

He glanced warily at Big Bao beside Chu Danqing, dared not offend him, and forced out: “I overestimated myself. Master Chu is truly extraordinary.”

Yes—he surrendered.

He had no intention of fighting to the end.

In his view, Chu Danqing’s skill in taming beasts made his appointment as guest-sponsor a foregone conclusion.

They’d both serve the Lu household; his status was lower, so if he wanted to avoid hardship later, he should apologize first and flatter.

Besides, a head retainer and a guest-sponsor—Lu household knew perfectly well who held greater value.

Chu Danqing hadn’t expected Gao Jie to endure the beating, then take all the blame on himself.

A talent—he truly deserved his position as head retainer in a noble house.

“Head Retainer Gao flatters me. I only hope there won’t be a next time,” Chu Danqing said slowly, maintaining his dignity.

His tone wouldn’t be kind—you came to provoke him; did he forget that instantly?

Not pressing further was already Chu Danqing’s generosity.

(End of Chapter)