Before the words "motion sickness" could leave his mouth, Dugu Bo interrupted.
"Enough, you know it, so don't say it out loud."
"Got it, don't worry. I swear on my integrity that I won't spread it around."
"But I really didn't expect you to get carsick," Wu Tong said with a faint smile.
Teased by Wu Tong, Dugu Bo's old face flushed red. Without another word, he turned and left Wutong Manor, heading back home.
"Take care, old man."
Watching Dugu Bo leave, Wu Tong didn't mind. He knew the old man was just embarrassed, not actually angry with him.
After seeing off Dugu Bo and the maintenance crew, Wu Tong began directing the maids of Wutong Manor to pack up the important items in preparation for the move to the academy.
When he said they were moving, he meant it—there was no hesitation.
Of course, this didn't mean Wutong Manor would be abandoned. Wu Tong planned to repurpose it as a guesthouse for entertaining visitors. After all, hosting guests at the academy wouldn't be appropriate.
Once the maids had finished packing everything, Wu Tong summoned a dimensional curtain and instantly transported everyone to Twilight Valley.
"Wow, is this the young master's academy?"
"It's so beautiful! Are we really going to live here from now on?"
"How wonderful! Not only do we get to stay with the young master, but we also get to live in such a place!"
As soon as they arrived at the academy, the maids couldn't contain their excitement upon seeing the splendid environment. They chattered animatedly among themselves.
Wu Tong watched the scene with a smile, making no move to stop them. These maids had all been purchased by him over the years from auction houses and slave markets.
There were twenty-one in total, and anyone who knew of them would inevitably remark on Wu Tong's good fortune.
The twenty-one maids encompassed nearly every type of woman imaginable—mature beauties, elegant ladies, petite girls, young maidens, emotionless types—and each possessed looks and figures that would have been considered goddess-tier in his previous life. After all, those who didn't meet such standards wouldn't have been captured and sold in the first place.
This also served as a stark reminder of how brutal the law of the jungle was in a world like Douluo. Without strength, the consequences could be dire.
After being purchased, the women had initially feared that Wu Tong would behave like the stereotypical nobleman, subjecting them to unspeakable torment and suffering.
To their surprise, Wu Tong did nothing of the sort. He treated them simply as maids, assigning them to maintain Wutong Manor—a duty they carried out for several years.
Over time, through their daily interactions, the women came to understand Wu Tong better. They realized he had no ulterior motives toward them, and their relationship with him gradually relaxed.
Eventually, their dynamic became less like that of master and servants and more like close friends.
It was precisely because of this that, after Wu Tong's secret evaluations, all the maids of Wutong Manor became his most trusted confidantes.
Seeing that Wu Tong wasn't stopping the women's playful antics, Xiao Yun, standing nearby, couldn't hold back any longer and spoke up:
"Enough, this behavior is unbecoming! Have you forgotten your duties? Line up properly at once."
Xiao Yun, whose real name was Nangong Yun, came from a commoner background. Around twenty years old, she was exceptionally diligent and possessed remarkable managerial skills. She handled every task with meticulous care, earning her the position of head housekeeper of Wutong Manor.
Nangong Yun's innate soul power was only level one, but her beauty was striking. After her family was slaughtered by slavers who had taken a fancy to her, she was sold at the Tian Dou Auction House.
Wu Tong rescued her during one of his visits. Upon learning of her past, he personally helped her eliminate the slavers, avenging her family.
In gratitude, Nangong Yun pledged herself to Wu Tong as both a maid and a sworn retainer, remaining by his side ever since. She was now his most trusted subordinate.
The other maids shared similar backgrounds—each had endured tragic experiences before being taken in by Wu Tong.
It was precisely because of this that they had remained fiercely loyal to him ever since.
Hearing their elder sister's reprimand, the maids immediately grew sheepish and ceased their antics, quickly lining up in orderly rows.
"Alright, it's no big deal. They can play if they want, but let's get the unpacking done first. Otherwise, we won't have a place to sleep tonight."
"Xiao Yun, I've told you many times—we're family. There's no need to be so strict."
Wu Tong found it amusing how Nangong Yun alone could rein in these unruly girls besides himself.
"Young master, you spoil them too much," Nangong Yun sighed, shaking her head in resignation.
Later, Wu Tong led the maids to the treehouse he had prepared for them.
"So, what do you think? This is the residence I picked out for us. My taste is as impeccable as ever, wouldn't you say?" Wu Tong boasted proudly.
"Young master's aesthetic sense is truly unmatched."
"It's stunning—it feels like we're merging with nature."
"Young master is amazing..."
Seeing Wu Tong's proud expression, the maids exchanged glances before showering him with affectionate praise.
"Hahaha, let's go. It's already afternoon, and our task for today is to clean and organize this treehouse villa so we can move in by evening," Wu Tong declared spiritedly.
"Yes, young master!" The maids responded earnestly.
The treehouse villa deep within Twilight Valley was less of a simple treehouse and more of a palace.
This was because the tree it was built upon was a plant-type soul beast—the Jade Ridge Broad Maple.
Recognized as the largest plant-type soul beast in the world, it was remarkably docile. Even when attacked, it would not retaliate, choosing instead to retreat and grow quietly in seclusion.
It was for this reason that the builders had refrained from killing it, opting instead to transform the Jade Ridge Broad Maple into a treehouse.
The finished villa stood ten stories tall, with each floor featuring a distinct style of treehouse—each unique, blending aesthetics with spaciousness. It was more than enough to accommodate Wu Tong and his maids.
The ten floors were connected by spiraling staircases, and each level extended outward into a platform that served as a balcony or garden. From the highest balcony, one could even oversee the entire academy.
Seeing the sheer scale of the task ahead, Nangong Yun wasted no time and immediately began assigning duties.
"Xiao Xue, Xiao Feng, you two are the quickest. I'll have to trouble you with cleaning the tenth floor first."
"Yue'er, Hua'er, you'll prepare and tidy the ninth floor."
"Sister Mei, Sister Lan, you'll take the eighth floor..."
...
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