Li Xuan quickly stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Steward Zhang, this disciple has done his best..."
"Trying your best?" Manager Zhang interrupted him, his voice shrill. "Trying your best and all you've grown is this pile of garbage? Can you even harvest thirty catties from this stuff in your field?!"
He walked into the field, casually pulled up a rice seedling, looked at its roots, crushed the ear of rice, smelled it, and a hint of doubt flashed across his face.
The growth of these rice seedlings seems somewhat mismatched with the poorness of the soil; they are too "healthy," yet the yield is undeniably low.
"The land is barren, and your disciple is incompetent..." Li Xuan lowered his head even further.
"If you're incompetent, don't occupy this space!" Steward Zhang sternly retorted. "The sect doesn't tolerate useless people! According to the rules, if you don't meet the standards, your entire monthly allowance will be deducted! If you fail to meet the standards for three consecutive months, you'll be expelled from the mountain! Your situation is far from satisfactory!"
Li Xuan's heart sank. He didn't care about the monthly allowance being deducted (he hadn't expected it anyway), but being expelled from the mountain was something he absolutely could not accept.
He looked up abruptly, a pleading expression on his face, and pulled a small cloth bag from his robes. He handed it over with both hands, his voice trembling, "Manager Zhang, I know I was wrong! I will definitely work harder! This... this is some wild mushrooms that I picked in the mountains. They taste quite delicious. Please, Manager..."
This was the only decent thing Li Xuan had found a few days ago in the more remote mountains; he had originally intended to save it for when he was really starving.
Manager Zhang glanced at the bag of mediocre wild mushrooms, his eyes full of disdain, but in the end he still snorted coldly, grabbed it, and stuffed it into his pocket.
"Hmph, at least you have some sense. I'll let you off this time, but your entire monthly allowance will be deducted! If you still can't pay next month..."
Manager Zhang glared threateningly at Li Xuan, then said, "It's not as simple as just deducting your monthly allowance! I'll put this on your record: C-class No. 7, Li Xuan, estimated yield... 20 jin! Inferior grade!"
After saying that, he made a note in the ledger, then looked at Li Xuan again and led the outer disciples toward the next spiritual field.
Only after Steward Zhang had walked away did Li Xuan slowly straighten up, his back already soaked with cold sweat.
Just now, he was genuinely afraid of being kicked out. The crisis is temporarily over, but what about next month? And the month after that?
Such small favors cannot last. Moreover, Manager Zhang seemed to have some doubts about the growth of the seedlings, although this was masked by the low yield, it was still a potential problem.
We must find a more stable and effective water source! Li Xuan looked towards the depths of the sect, where there were rivers, streams, and even springs with more abundant spiritual energy, but those places were not places that a servant like him could approach.
The water theft plan must be put on the agenda as soon as possible!
That night, Li Xuan didn't sleep. By the moonlight, he began to carefully recall and plan the direction and approximate distance of the spirit beast garden, as well as the shift change pattern of the patrolling disciples (which he had gleaned bits and pieces from Zhao Tie's usual complaints).
The adventure is about to begin!
The outer gate of the Bright Moon Sect, the Spirit Beast Garden.
Various low-level spirit beasts are kept here, for outer disciples to practice beast taming, or to obtain materials and assist with work. The garden covers a considerable area, surrounded by a simple wooden fence, and is guarded by dedicated disciples.
Li Xuan had been hiding in a thicket on the outskirts of the Spirit Beast Garden for almost an hour.
The night was deep, with only a few lights swaying in the wind, emitting a dim yellow light.
Li Xuan, dressed in dark-colored servant's clothes with mud and ash smeared on his face, held his breath and observed carefully.
Based on his secret observations over the past few days and the information he gleaned indirectly from Zhao Tie, the patrols around the Spirit Beast Garden were not very tight, especially in the latter half of the night.
Most of the disciples guarding the gate would sit in meditation or doze off in the guard post. What they really needed to guard against were the spirit beasts within the garden with their keen senses of smell and hearing.
Li Xuan's target was not the spirit beasts, but the water troughs they used for drinking. The water in those troughs was supplied year after year, and there would always be some leftover water from the spirit beasts. This water would more or less be tainted with spiritual energy and the aura of the spirit beasts, which would be a "great tonic" for him.
The time has come!
The disciples in the guard post were nodding their heads, seemingly already asleep. Li Xuan, like a raccoon, silently slipped out from the bushes, using the shadows as cover, and quickly approached the fence.
Li Xuan chose a location that was far from the guard post but close to the internal water tank.
The fence wasn't high. He took a deep breath, and the power within him, enhanced by the well water, surged. With a light leap, he grabbed the top of the fence with both hands, used his waist and abdomen to power himself, and gracefully flipped over, landing silently.
A strong stench of spirit beast droppings and fur wafted through the air, mixed with the smell of various kinds of hay. Various rustling sounds and low breathing could be heard from within the garden.
Li Xuan's heart pounded; he was extremely nervous. He hunched over, using his enhanced night vision to quickly determine his direction, and made his way towards the location of the water tank that he remembered.
Soon, a huge stone trough appeared before him. The trough's edges were covered with slippery moss, and the water inside shimmered in the moonlight, seemingly emanating a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy—far stronger than the water from his broken well!
Near the water tank, several large, low-level spirit beasts resembling wild boars, known as "Mane Boars," were fast asleep.
Li Xuan dared not approach. He glanced around and noticed that the edge of the water tank near the fence was slightly dented and had accumulated a small puddle of water due to the trampling of the spirit beasts.
That's it! Li Xuan held his breath and took out a tattered leather bag (made of some kind of animal hide, the only container left by his predecessor) and a small piece of relatively clean coarse cloth from his bosom.
Li Xuan approached cautiously, trying not to make a sound. When he was a few steps away from the puddle, he stopped, threw the coarse cloth over, and accurately covered the puddle.
The coarse cloth quickly absorbed water and became wet. Then, using a thin wooden stick, he slowly pulled the soaked cloth back. Throughout the entire process, his hands trembled slightly.
Having successfully retrieved the coarse cloth, he forcefully wrung the water into the leather bag. After repeating this several times, he finally collected about half a bag of murky water with a strong animalistic smell.
Just as he was about to wring the coarse cloth dry again, the mane-covered boar suddenly moved, whimpered, and rolled over.
Li Xuan was so frightened that he immediately prostrated himself on the ground, motionless, and almost stopped breathing.
The spirit beast smacked its lips and went back to sleep. Li Xuan waited for a while, making sure it was safe, before he dared to slowly raise his head.
He dared not be greedy any longer. He stuffed the damp cloth into his bosom, put away the leather bag, and followed the same path, silently climbing over the fence again and disappearing into the darkness.
After a harrowing run back to the thatched hut on the back mountain, Li Xuancai leaned against the door, panting heavily, his entire body drenched in cold sweat.
But looking at the small half-bag of murky, fishy-smelling water in his hand, his eyes gleamed with excitement. He'd succeeded! He'd got it!