Etiquette Lessons

Years kept passing; Wuyi was ten this year, but he actually looked 13. He was growing faster than any kids in the fort. People believed it was his bloodline, but Wuyi knew with certainty that the cause of his development was his cheat, specifically the statue of valor, which actively supported Wuyi during his exercises, helping him develop muscles. He was just more physically developed than other kids. To keep up with the growth, he ate a lot too. The good thing was now that he lived in the fort, he could go to the kitchen and eat anytime and as many times as he liked. Even as a bastard, he was considered noble, so no one hassled him about his eating habits. Still, he made sure not to show this trait of his in front of Boluo, or he would have been chided by Boluo for being a glutton.

As summer arrived, it brought a hot desert climate to the Fortress of Lujingbao, accompanied by the influx of Nomadic Desert Merchants from their desert and plateau territories. These visitors arrived bearing valuable goods like metals, precious stones, jade, and barrels of rare desert materials. Alongside their wares, they shared tales of demons and beasts—stories that sent shivers down the spines of children.

The common folk regarded the newly arrived nomad merchants with suspicion, often believing them to be undercover agents of the demonics. Despite this distrust, their offerings were too tempting, and the gold taels they used for trade were substantial, enticing the local merchants.

The news that they brought was already being heard everywhere; it was nothing new, but what seemed to be happening far away made the locals realize that it was happening closer than they had expected.

Demonics continued to roam the borderlands, avoiding direct confrontation with the Lujingbao Fortress warriors. They pillaged and terrorized the same vulnerable villages they had targeted for years. The situation was like a complex and brutal game, with the demonics seeking out undefended or poorly defended settlements.

To tackle this demonic problem, the fortress exposed some locations deliberately to lure the marauders, baiting them before finishing them with counterattacks. But it did not work out as there seemed to be spies everywhere.

This season, the game seemed to tip in favor of the demonics. Every trip to the towns brought grim news of devastation and growing public unrest.

Within the Fortress, among the guards and warriors, a pervasive sense of incompetence loomed. Wuyi noticed and felt their emotions but could not connect to them because he was still unclear about what these demonics were. Were they demons or humans? All he knew was that they were not good people—perhaps robbers or something similar , but more powerful. The demonics deftly eluded the Scouting Parties sent from the fort and evaded their traps. They exploited the fortress's vulnerabilities, striking when least expected.

One morning, Wuyi made his way down to Boluo's Residence for what he sarcastically referred to as his "lesson." Usually, his mornings were spent tending to animals and mentoring young beasts, rather than receiving any profound wisdom. He had taken over Keben's previous duties in the Beast Pens, as Keben had moved on to become Wangzhe's personal groom and beastmaster.

However, on this particular day, Boluo had different plans. He led Wuyi to his chamber and gestured for him to sit at an elegantly carved table, a hint of skepticism in his tone as he spoke. "Today, I will teach you the art of etiquette."

Wuyi couldn't conceal his surprise. "Etiquette for managing beasts?"

"No," Boluo clarified. "I trust you have a sufficient understanding of that. I am referring to social etiquette, particularly during feasts and tea ceremonies—the kind of decorum expected in the presence of people."

Wuyi was intrigued. "And why is that?"

Boluo furrowed his brows. "For reasons unbeknownst to me, you will accompany young master Jianyu on a diplomatic mission to the city of Jingwan. Your task is to meet Lord Qingzhu of the Lian clan, who has been accused by Lord Shenxi of negligence in fortifying the Mountain Gates and Observation Towers. Shenxi claims that these are left unmanned, allowing beasts to breach the borders and launch attacks on Shenxi's settlements in the Shu Province. Jianyu is assigned to address these claims with Lord Qingzhu."

Boluo began teaching Wuyi the nuances of noble etiquette. He explained that in most noble clans, young men learn this by observing their elders. However, in larger clans, a special etiquette teacher is assigned to the younger generation.

Boluo started by teaching Wuyi how to greet people appropriately when meeting them for the first time, how to introduce himself upon entering a room, and how to show respect when conversing with elders. He elaborated on the complex rules governing the importance of individuals in various situations.

They then transitioned to mealtime etiquette, discussing where to sit, how to match the eating pace of the most important person at the table, how to make a toast, and how to engage in meaningful conversation during dinner. In Wuyi's case, the focus was on listening attentively to others. The lesson seemed endless, and Wuyi found his mind wandering after a while. The good thing was that the Statue of Knowledge, his cheat, kept taking in all the knowledge. But Wuyi's boredom was not hidden from Boluo.

Boluo abruptly snapped Wuyi back to reality with a pointed jab of his finger, visibly frustrated. "You must avoid appearing absentminded; it makes you look foolish. Don't assume others won't notice. And refrain from showing resentment when corrected. Maintain a polite demeanor, not a vacant grin," he admonished.

Suddenly, Boluo began to murmur, "Wuyi, what am I to do with you? How can I ensure your safety when you seem to attract trouble? And why are they sending you away like this?"

His unspoken questions revealed deep-seated concerns. Boluo was puzzled as to why a ten-year-old like Wuyi was being sent away, marking the first time he would be out of Boluo's protective watch.

He wondered, though he didn't say it out loud, if Wuyi was being sent away to make it easier for someone to discreetly eliminate him. Wuyi sensed Boluo's concerns but felt they were unwarranted. He was not being sent away for sinister reasons but quite the opposite. Because the Statue of Knowledge had already made a calculated guess, Wuyi was aware of what this journey was going to be about.

Wuyi offered a plausible explanation, suggesting that perhaps his skills in managing horses and dogs were being assessed by the Patriarch. After all, Jianyu never traveled without his loyal mountain hound, Linghu, and had recently praised Wuyi's handling of the animal.

This reassurance transformed Boluo's expression from concern to relief and then to pride. He was, after all, the one who had taught Wuyi how to handle beasts. If the lord was assessing his skills, it meant he must have made an impression. Boluo's focus quickly shifted from etiquette to canine care—a topic as tedious as the former. When he finally allowed Wuyi to attend to his other duties, the young boy left with a newfound sense of lightness in his step.