2.1

Quick A/N before the chapter starts, rainbasket on instagram made fanart of Liliana and Aleric!! Since I can only attach one item, I'll be uploading the rest of the art with next week's update. Anywho, big shoutout to them, so definitely check them out!

That's pretty much it, so thanks for 18k reads and 1k votes and all your support!

The girl gasps up from a sitting position, her thin chest rising and falling as if she had just come back from death itself.

"Are you okay, Miss?" a serf asked, placing a dampened towel on the stranger's brow in an unusual, yet appreciated moment of kindness. The girl's dazed eyes remain forward, looking at her damp feet, toes slightly blue.

"I'm...quite fine," the strange girl responds as she lays a pale hand on her chest to steady herself. "Never better."

"Hmm...well, your color is returning to you," the serf responds, dusting bits of snow off of her own shoulders. The serf was still in her cloak, "When I found you outside, you were as pale as the snow you were buried in. What are you doing out in these parts during a winter's storm, anyhow?"

'Welcome to your second world.'

In came a flood of memories into the girl's brain. She was Li Xiao, a beautiful yet poor woman. After she was found nearly dead, a warlord's maid saved her. In return, Li Xiao served on the battlefield as a nurse for the warlord. However, one of the generals went slowly insane and made mistakes that deeply weakened the army. During a crucial battle in the war, Li Xiao noticed there was something weird occurring on the battlefield, yet no one listened to her since she was merely a woman. This failure to listen to her resulted in utter genocide on the field, and the original body vowed for vengeance the moment she was stabbed through the heart.

'What's my goal?'

Before 008 could respond, Li Xiao noticed the maidservant was waiting patiently for an inkling of an answer.

Ah! I nearly forgot!

"I...I was running from marriage from a cruel man. He's had 5 wives in the past and all died within a year," Li Xiao admits as she retrieves the memory. It didn't even seem like the original body was a cruel person, she just ended up wishing for vengeance in the end. Based on how Jara explained in the Hub, a villain system could be implemented for vengeance. "I...I was afraid I'd be next, so when my carriage was shaken down by robbers, I immediately escaped. Then, I got lost in the snow storm, and here I am."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Miss," the maidservant frowns. "No one deserves that kind of fate."

There is a lull in their conversation for a moment before Li Xiao's brows furrow together.

"Where is your master?" Li Xiao asks and the maid straightens up at the mention of his name.

"Lord Wang Jianjun is away visiting family. He'll be back soon enough."

"Alright, I'd just like to thank my host as soon as I can," Li Xiao bows. "Thank you, Miss...?"

"Cheng Heng Han," the girl responds, a crescent smile on her rounded face.

"I am Li Xiao," the transmigrator says in return.

Cheng Heng Han nods. "I shall go fetch spare clothing from the former mistress' room."

"Former? If I can ask-"

"She passed half a decade ago from coughing blood and choking," the servant responds, a sad look on her face. "She gave birth to four beautiful girls. It just happened that life finally caught up on her."

"I'm sorry to hear that, I give my condolences," Li Xiao says.

"Do not worry," Cheng Heng Han answers, a slight smile returning. "I'll return your clothing to you when they dry. I don't believe you should be wearing only your undergarments around the house."

Li Xiao glances down as the maidservant leaves and notices her state of being. She was in a plain tan nightdress, clearly belonging to the maid. Li Xiao stands up and notices that she feels a lot taller than she was before, with the nightdress around mid-ankle. Awkwardly, Li Xiao steps over to the floor-length mirror, attempting to get used to her man-like body.

A creamy complexion stretched over a thin frame, with the clothes on Li Xiao's bones hanging loosely as rags would on a scarecrow. She had a narrow face with a stronger jawline and slightly wider lips than that of a normal beauty's. Yet, she had a handsome tall nose bridge and long flat brows. Her eyes were a dark sparkling brown with long black lashes framing them, turned upward in a stunning manner. Her hair was currently out of an updo, an extremely dark brown falling straight to her waist, hair still slightly damp at its ends. If Li Xiao was to put her hair up and reveal her entire face, she'd appear even more androgynous.

'What is my goal, 008?'

'To become Unit Commander of the entire military--or the highest rank possible.'

'That's certainly...interesting...'

Maybe I'll have to act more like a villain than I was before...

"I'm back with the clothes," Cheng Heng Han announces as she holds up a dark red garment. She helps Li Xiao slide into it before pulling Li Xiao's hair back with a butterfly ornament.

"I found this discarded by you, it seems like it was the only thing you had," Cheng Heng Han admits as she secures the pin.

"Thank you," Li Xiao whispers softly as her stomach roars.

"Right, then, I'll bring you to the dining room for dinner." The servant led a flustered Li Xiao through silent halls of the big estate.

"Are you the only servant around?" Li Xiao asks to fill the silence and earns a meek nod.

"Yes, all the other servants went with master's daughters as part of the dowry. Since few live up as North as we do, and fewer even further up North, not many people visit these parts," Cheng Heng Han answers. "I just clean and do busywork for the master, and he shouldn't be home until a day from now-"

"Who is this?"

An icy wind finally reached the two as they both turned around slowly. In the screen door's frame stood a tall old man clutching a seemingly minuscule walking stick to his side. He was draped in blue cloth under a thick leather coat, his long grey hair slicked back with melting snow.

"Lord Wang Jianjun, this is Li Xiao," the maidservant presents as she bows. Li Xiao steps forward and bows deeply.

"I am in debt to your household, for your wonderful servant rescued me from the snow. Without her, I would be frozen over."

"Why is she wearing my wife's clothing?" the old man continues, not even bothering to acknowledge the figure before him.

"Because she was soaked to the bone in her other clothing. All my clothes are still wet from being washed this morning, and she needed something dry or else she'd die of hypothermia," Cheng Heng Han responds. The little old man gave a brief nod. "Alright, I'm glad the clothing will be of service. It hasn't been worn in a long while."

"Thank you, sir."

Wang Jianjun examines the new girl.

"Do you know how to read, young one?"

'Do I?' Li Xiao mentally questions. 'You automatically know how to read and write in whatever world you are transported to.' 008 answers. 'So yes, you know how to read.'

Sweet.

"Yes, I do, sir," Li Xiao answers.

He nods. "My eyes are aging, and I will require assistance reading military documents. If you assist me with my task, I'll allow you to reside here until you wish to leave."

Hmm...so Cheng Heng Han mustn't be able to read. I suppose this society has a clear caste pyramid. In the last world, almost everyone knew how to read. Maybe this world is more ancient than the last, then...

"Thank you, sir." Li Xiao bows once again before rising. "I won't let you down."

He remains silent for a moment before turning to his maid. "Please make dinner for Li Xiao tonight while I rest from my journey. I shall dine again tomorrow morning."

He glances at Li Xiao. "I will see you at 4 am. If you are late, you will be thrown out into the cold again."

WHAT?! 4 am?!

Before Li Xiao had a chance to respond he was already sauntering off to his room.

"Welcome to the house," Cheng Heng Han comments, a slight smile coming onto her face. "I shall get you up at 3:00 to prepare."

This won't be fun at all.

=

The next morning, a certain beauty was awoken at 3 am for the sole purpose of waiting on an aging warlord. After dressing, Li Xiao was escorted to Wang Jianjun's room.

"You may enter," he comments after Cheng Heng Han announces Li Xiao's arrival. Cheng Heng Han dismissed herself while Li Xiao entered the room. It was a large office, with a desk full of paperwork situated in the corner, a table for guests in the center, a bookshelf and a wall full of swords; yet, there was still plenty of walking room within.

The man stood by his swords and coolly looked over them, not bothering to turn and face the girl.

"Every morning, I train with swords until 6. Then, I read over the notes, and depending on how long it takes, I'll have breakfast between 8 and 10. Then, I do more work in the study, have a late afternoon nap between 3 and 7, then I will have dinner," he informs.

That sounds quite lonely...

"That is very well-structured," Li Xiao responds. He nods. "Structure and repetition make life how it is. Without it, your life will be full of anarchy and disarray."

"Where do you train with your sword?" Li Xiao asks. "In the courtyard," he answers as Li Xiao's eyes widen. "Isn't that full of snow?"

"Yes, but harsh circumstances train the mind just as much as the body." With Wang Jianjun's tone, it sounded like he was a bit accusatory of Li Xiao's arrival.

A lightbulb suddenly goes off inside of Li Xiao's mind.

"If this doesn't sound like too much, may I train aside you, then?" Li Xiao asks. Wang Jianjun arches a thick grey brow. "What would a woman of your stature need for learning the art of a sword?"

Well, at least he isn't outright denying me.

"Protection," Li Xiao informs. "I came from a place of darkness where shadows try to steal you away in the dead of night. I never wish to be vulnerable again. If I could, I'd want to fight off the shadows before they could hurt anyone else."

He pauses, considering Li Xiao's request before nodding. "I will allow you to practice alongside me. However, if I deem that you cannot handle it, I will no longer let you train."

Li Xiao nods as a faint smile comes onto her face. "Thank you, sir." She bows to him as his face remains impassive.

"Good, then come with me."

He leads her through the halls until arriving at the inner courtyard's entrance. Hanging above the sliding door entrance were three swords. Wang Jianjun grabs the shorter of the three and passes it to Li Xiao.

"Thank you." She takes the sword in hand. In The Hub, the sword seemed to be a lot lighter than this. It might be because her body in this world was severely undertrained. Wrapping her hands around the hilt, her hands began to tremble under the weight of the saber.

Wang Jianjun glanced at her from the corner of his eye as he grabs his saber and Li Xiao quickly held her sword firmly. She glances down at his sword and notices how worn it was around the handle.

"This can be the sword you use whenever you practice," he informs as a glimmer of doubt flashed through his eyes. He turned from her and opened the doors of the courtyard. Inside, Cheng Heng Han was finishing up with the snow shovel, allowing for the floor to be mostly clear of any icy obstacles.

"If I may ask, sir, where is your coat?" Li Xiao asks as he steps out in his normal clothes.

"If I train in the harshest of conditions, I'm prepared for any situation; as would anyone," he responds. "Ice and snow will better any man's condition if he looks at it the right way."

Cheng Heng Han picks up a large dummy made of carved wood fashioned in the rough outline of a person. She moves it over to the courtyard center and wipes a little bit of sweat from her brow with the edge of her coat.

Wang Jianjun gives a brief nod and his servant quickly escaped from the courtyard. In the blink of an eye, Wang Jianjun removed his sword and began delivering quick slices at the dummy. Li Xiao watched in amazement as white cuts appeared on the dark wood nearly instantly. Wang Jianjun looked over at Li Xiao.

"You may try, now."

Li Xiao gulped nervously and shakily withdrew the sword from its sheath, the sheath clattering to the stone. Wang Jianjun made a sound of annoyance and Li Xiao awkwardly laughed and quickly picked up the sheath and set it behind her. Shifting the sword to her right hand, Li Xiao stepped forward and began swiping at the wooden figure in a similar fashion to how she learned in The Hub. Her hand shook so bad that after three hits the sword fell from her grasp and fell to the ground.

She quickly went to grab it, but Wang Jianjun interrupted her with a firm glare. She glances up at him and saw him looking down at her, traces of regret in his eyes.

"You are not fit for training," he states. "I cannot allow you to do this."

"But-" Li Xiao says as she picks up the saber-sword. "I'm willing to put in the effort-"

"Effort does nothing if you have no skills to base it upon," he interrupts as he juts out his hand. Li Xiao's fingers tense around the sword before giving in, handing it to him with regret.

"Go inside. Begin reading the paperwork," he orders as his eyes scour her body. Li Xiao refused to move.

"I'll work harder!" she yells. He sighs, stepping forward and clamping a large hand on the top of her head, patting it. "I admire your resolve, young one. But, you are shaking like a leaf and cannot do this."

Li Xiao's lips tightened, stopping her teeth from chattering. She jerked away, and after a brief but sloppy bow, she stomped off with a strong resolve setting in her mind.

I'll improve. I have to improve.

~

Li Xiao sat in the office as her eyes scoured over Wang Jianjun's notes and letters that had built up in the last couple of weeks he'd been gone. It was mostly territorial reports of regions in the North and how each was doing during the winter. It seemed like Wang Jianjun was heavily involved in knowing the welfare of the country, most likely due to his high position as a strategist; which had become obvious from reading his notes. It seems like full-war was just on the horizon with generals planning the small, yet important parts about war...the food.

Even though this house was far up north, the whole country of Jinzhou was immersed in snow for 10 months out of the year, while the country in the south, Shaolian, was far warmer. It seemed like the Jinzhou generals were preparing to be ready to wreak some major havoc upon Shaolian, based off the letters...

'008, when does the war start from today's date?' Li Xiao asks as she feels 008 click to life in the back of her head.

'It starts in 12 months, with planning at fruition at 8 months and camps filling at 10 months.'

Hmm...

The old man slid open the door and saw the young girl deep in thought, her eyes glazed over. Suddenly, she looks up with her eyes alert again.

"Did you get all the work finished or were you dazing off?" he asks as Li Xiao's cheeks flush.

"I finished all the work," Li Xiao responds awkwardly, quelling the anger at the situation within her. She needs to get better, not bitter.

Li Xiao proceeds to explain what she received in the letters and Wang Jianjun nods. "I see. Can you get the parchment in the drawer on your left? I need you to write some responses," he requests. Li Xiao grabs the parchment while Wang Jianjun gets the inkpot and brush.

'008, did Li Xiao have any useful skills?' she questioned as 008 paused.

'The Li family was especially good at calligraphy, hence why you were able to read the documents. However, you would've had this ability anyway, since all systems have an automatic language translator,' 008 responds. 'However, writing is a different story. It really depends on whatever body you take hold of.'

Thank the gods. Now, let's hope this writing doesn't look too shabby...

Li Xiao sat at the table across from Wang Jianjun and took the brush in hand. It seemed as if the brush fit perfectly in every crook and cranny of her hand.

"Begin writing to General Wu about the storage of horses in the 9th district. I want you to say..." Wang Jianjun began to explain and watched as Li Xiao wrote perfect characters to his words. The girl nearly cried at how perfect her characters appeared on paper. Wang Jianjun glanced at his own calloused fist and clenched it, unnoticeable to Li Xiao.

"How would you like me to sign it?" Li Xiao asks as she finished the letter.

"Sign it by whatever you wish," he waves off. "Just don't use a feminine name and sign off with the title of 'Assistant.'"

Li Xiao glanced at the paper before her as she thought of a name.

'008, any suggestions?'

008 pauses. 'How about Shi Zixin?' 008 suggests, voice oddly softer than normal.

Li Xiao quickly writes this down before passing the letter to Wang Jianjun. She notices how gnarled and scarred his fingers are and how they appear extremely swollen at the joints.

Wang Jianjun's aging eyes scanned the letter before touching the top of Li Xiao's head lightly for a moment. "This is good."

What's with him patting my head?

He pulled out an envelope and fumbled to put the piece of paper in. He eventually slid it in with a relieved sigh. Wang Jianjun withdrew hot wax and poured it over the fold, ending the letter with the hot press of his seal.

This pattern continued for the rest of the morning until Cheng Heng Han came in with breakfast and tea. She served it before leaving to take the letters off to the post office.

The old man stood up after breakfast and walked to his bookshelf.

"Do you know much poetry?" he asks as Li Xiao reflects on the original body's past.

"Not really. My family couldn't afford many books, especially great ones like poetry. My cousin was a scholar, so whenever he visited he'd give us whatever books he no longer had a use for," Li Xiao responds.

"All of these books are manuscripts on the art of war or are miscellaneous books I've collected over the years. Do what you will with them," he waves her off as he picks up a book from the shelf. "I suppose if you're going to be my assistant, you should read this."

He hands her a book and Li Xiao looks over at the familiar. The Art of War.

Hmm...this must be in the same universe as my last one...or at least a version similar to it...

Li Xiao immediately reflects her time in the past world and wonders how the others carried on after her. How empty the home library would be after the Marzinal family died out without an heir. How Mrs. Florentine grieved. How Aleric truly felt after she died...

"I've read this already," Li Xiao comments as Wang Jianjun arches a brow. "Really, now? Have you read the Six Secret Teachings, then?"

Li Xiao shakes her head in a resounding no as Wang Jianjun shortly exhales from his nose. "Then that is your next to do."

He takes the book from her and returns to the shelf, withdrawing another book. He passes it to Li Xiao.

"You may read wherever, I usually read during this time of day. If I need your assistance, I will send Cheng Heng Han to get you."

Li Xiao nods briefly. "Thank you for the book."

With a short bow, she turns and leaves the old man alone in the cold room.

Li Xiao briskly turns around the corner and exhales. This is going to be a lot harder than I thought...

'008, how many points do I have left?' Li Xiao asks as she walks down the halls.

'2450. Do you wish to enter the mall? Do remember that if you fail a world you have to pay 1000 points back, regardless of the world's difficulty,' 008 responds. Li Xiao's brows crease.

'I didn't know this was an option.'

'Only for people who have acquired points. Do you wish to enter?'

Li Xiao nods slightly as she enters her room and closes the door. She sits on her bed and leans back, closing her eyes to a world of darkness. Suddenly, a big menu pops up in front of her. Thousands of flashing items appeared on screen, from makeup products to kitchen utensils to sulfur.

'This is the digital mall. It's like the regular mall, but you cannot physically enter it.'

'So, it's like internet shopping?'

'Exactly.'

Li Xiao frowns lightly in thought. 'I need a way to improve my skills rapidly to get Wang Jianjun to let me practice with him again. What do you recommend I do?'

'I believe if you improve your strength enough that you'd be able to handle a sword as well as you would in the Hub. However, your body is quite weak now, and by the time you reach Wang Jianjun's standards, the war will have begun. I recommend you take 'skill pills' to be able to speed up the training process.

'Are they actual pills? Where would I keep them?' Li Xiao questions as she pulls up the item on the screen. On the digital skill flashed a blue tablet, spinning slowly as Li Xiao glanced at its contents. All of it was written in binary, which made absolutely no sense to her.

'They're more of a download, per se. Depending on the dosage's intensity, all of your skills you practice will be able to be learned and improved more effectively in a shorter amount of time. This is the best deal, and many people use skill pills regularly until they've done many worlds and just have to get their body up to their standards.'

Li Xiao glances back at the binary and watches it flash into a readable language, showing off the dosage levels. 50 points was a dosage of a month with a good intensity of 60%, but 200 points was a dosage of a year with a 90% intensity level.

'Is the 200 point option good?'

'It's good,' 008 affirms. 'I think it'd be the best option for you. After the time period is up, you're usually just repeating your actions from before. You can buy more in the future, if you so wish.'

Li Xiao sighs in annoyance and selects the pills. She presses the 'confirm' button and suddenly feels as if thousands of fire ants writhe around her body.

She jolts up in shock as her eyes widen and realizes she's alone. She puts a hand over her fast beating heart as she calms her breathing.

'That was just the pills being accepted by your body,' 008 informs. 'Use this time wisely carefully, Li Xiao.'

Will do... I certainly don't want to feel that again...

She rose fully from her bed and began stretching. She had made a mental checklist of things she was going to do before the 8 month period ends.

-Become extremely flexible

-Be actually able to wield a weapon

-Win over Wang Jianjun

-Anything else that comes up

Li Xiao went back to the courtyard and saw that it was lightly flurrying outside. She made her way over to the bench and brushed off the snow, seeing a character embalmed into the stone.

Li Xiao's brows furrow in confusion.

Where...where have I seen that symbol before?

She shakes her head and walks away from the bench because a small feeling within her chest advises her not to sit there. Instead, she settles on the ground a few feet away and begins slow breathing. She remembered that in her original life she had watched a documentary on how mountain climbers and scuba divers use meditation tactics to slow their body down just enough to survive.

If she can mimic that, Li Xiao will be able to meditate easily!

For the next couple hours, Li Xiao meditated in the courtyard until she had noticed that she didn't feel the cold anymore and how the meditation had left her refreshed.

Damn! Those pills were super effective! Still, learning the art of the sword will definitely take much longer to learn than just sitting in a courtyard for two hours.

Li Xiao stood up and stretched once more before going to her room and began to read the Six Secret Teachings, unknowing that the pills had allowed her to memorize most of the information presented in the book.

After reading for a bit, she took a nap and was awakened for dinner. It was quite quiet at the table, but Li Xiao didn't mind. After dinner, Wang Jianjun retired to bed while Li Xiao was left wide awake.

Li Xiao knew her strength was pretty weak, so she did 20 squats, pushups and sit-ups, then did 100 crunches. She planned to do more repetitions, but she was exhausted from the first round and fell asleep on the wooden floor.

The next morning, instead of practicing with Wang Jianjun, Li Xiao was told to stay within the study and do some work. Since the letter pile was practically non-existent today, Li Xiao did 20 squats, pushups and situps, then 100 crunches.

She wasn't as tired as last night, granted she did do a full day of work before she exercised, but she had a feeling that just doing that won't be enough. After she begins to build up more strength, she'll take up running. If pants existed right now it'd be easier to run, but her clothes are a lot smaller than her so at least she won't trip.

Li Xiao soon returned to reading the Six Secret Teachings after having read the letter attached to a package on Wang Jianjun's desk. His daughter said that when visiting it seemed as if he had left his lucky fish charm at her house.

Li Xiao pulled it out, revealing a red tassel attached to a golden fish with an inscription on it. Li Xiao's mind flashed back to the bench from yesterday.

Who created the character?

"What is that?" Wang Jianjun asks as he enters the room and looks at the fish in Li Xiao's hands.

"Your daughter had sent it over, saying you had left it at her house," Li Xiao answers as she passes it to him.

"Oh," he softly comments as his fingers run over the fish's inscription. "I can't believe I had forgotten. Write to my daughter that I thank her for sending it over."

Li Xiao nods and begins writing before holding the letter up to Wang Jianjun. "Do you want to continue putting the letters in the envelope, or shall I take that up as well?"

He waves her off while still observing the fish in his hands. "Do what you will."

Li Xiao nods and places the letter in the envelope. She stamps it with the wax seal and hands it off to Cheng Heng Han later.

After breakfast, Li Xiao meditates in the courtyard before going back to her room and doing more stretches and exercises, increasing both of the increments by 10. After this, she reads once more and takes a nap after reaching the halfway point of the book.

Following another quiet dinner and Wang Jianjun's descent to bed, Li Xiao took a long rest until 1 am when she got up, completely restless. She stretched a bit before going to the courtyard's door and looked up at the sword that was delegated as hers to borrow while in the Wang residence.

She picks up the saber-styled sword and weighs it in her hands. Already, after only a couple of days on the pills, it didn't feel as hard to carry. She went into the courtyard and her eyes quickly adjusted to her surroundings. Pulling her sleeve over her hand, she dusted off the snow from the wooden opponent as she raised her sword.

She placed the tip over where the heart would be.

One day, will I have to stab an actual person through the heart like this?

She removed the sword from the figure's heart as her hand began to shake. When she killed Alissandra, it was in self-defense...

"Li Xiao?"

The girl turned to see the maid standing there with a lantern in one hand, her round face illuminated by a yellow glow. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I wish to practice my skills," Li Xiao replies openly. "The time of it isn't important."

Cheng Heng Han glances at Li Xiao's hand shaking. "Do you wish for me to grab the wooden staffs?"

"You have those?" Li Xiao asks as the other girl nods. "We do."

"If it's not too much of a hassle, then please." Cheng Heng Han nods at this before walking away. Li Xiao releases a breath she didn't know she was holding as a puff of cold air came from her lips. She sheathes the saber and puts back in its place just as Cheng Heng Han comes back with two long wooden staffs, passing both to Li Xiao.

"When you're done, you can keep them with you," Cheng Heng Han smiles. "You can put them behind your changing screen."

Li Xiao nods. "Thank you."

Cheng Heng Han turns to leave but Li Xiao holds up a hand.

"Cheng Heng Han, who put the character on the bench and on the fish?" Li Xiao asks. Cheng Heng Han's eyes flash in shock for a moment.

"I...I cannot say, it's not my place to tell you."

Li Xiao already had an idea who put the character there, but she bowed and thanked the maid instead. Cheng Heng Han bows shortly in response before walking off to who-knows-where in the estate, leaving Li Xiao to practice alone in the cloak of darkness.

Li Xiao was glad she had been given the staffs for now, as they were much easier to manipulate than using a saber in this weak vessel. Until she grows stronger, using a staff will help her memorize the basic forms necessary for sword training.

After finishing, Li Xiao used a wet rag to wipe off the sweat she had accumulated before changing into the outfit she had come in. Cheng Heng Han had laid it on her bed and LiXiao was able to see how faded the plum color was from the cloth. She really was from a poor family, but at least she was lucky enough to have her father be a cartographer and her mother happening to allow the children to learn to read and write.

She quickly changed and went about the day as she had before. There were no letters today, so LiXiao sat at the entrance with a cup of matcha tea and watched Wang Jianjun do his thing. When he was done he looked towards Li Xiao.

"Is there no letters?" he asks and she nods. He nods and walks over to her and puts his sword back up. Li Xiao noticed the fish charm was hanging proudly from his waist now and was securely fastened to his garment.

"I'm going to read, so I will not be seeing you until dinner tonight."

"May I inquire about breakfast?"

"Hm?" he echoes before he coughs. "Sorry, it seemed to have slipped my mind. You can still eat breakfast in my office."

Li Xiao nods and follows him to his office. The two read in silence until Cheng Heng Han comes in with their food. She then does her day normally, adding 20 more increments to all of her exercises and stretches. Li Xiao estimated that if she worked hard enough she can get on Wang Jianjun's good side before the month's end.

~

Two weeks had passed since Li Xiao had arrived at the Wang household. She was now amazingly flexible and had finished reading the Six Secret Teachings and was now reading Guanzi. Those skill pills had helped out so much in this body, and she wouldn't know where she'd be without them.

The military letters had shifted less from farming and more to campsites, which had Wang Jianjun and Li Xiao in the office for days on end as they mulled over different maps.

Li Xiao had noticed that Wang Jianjun, although a simplistic man, was a military genius. He had amazing tactics, fighting skills and just general knowledge; all unknowingly absorbed by Li Xiao like she's a super sponge. However, Li Xiao had noticed that Wang Jianjun tended to care about the largest aspect of the military while Li Xiao went into more detail about the soldiers or the actions. Wang Jianjun just had a way of saying how to get to Point B from Point A but had no idea what to do if anything went wrong. Li Xiao was more likely to think of every possible way something can work depending on the situation, and if something goes awry there are at least 5 backup plans.

This didn't go unnoticed by Wang Jianjun. He even noticed how she appeared to become even hungrier at meals but maintained a thin frame. However, when she had spilled ink on her sleeves and had to roll them up, he noticed she had pale arms lined with muscle.

Wang Jianjun left for a week to go to his daughter's house once again, and Cheng Heng Han and Li Xiao were left to their own devices. Cheng Heng Han took Li Xiao to the market and purchased tea leaves, clothes for Li Xiao and a new book for Wang Jianjun to read when he returns.

"Is it okay to have bought me clothes?" Li Xiao had asked as Cheng Heng Han nods. "Wang Jianjun knows I spend money reasonably and gave me full access to help monitor his funds. Besides, you only have one item of clothing that's your own."

That night, Li Xiao had slept on the floor of Cheng Heng Han's family home, which now belonged to her brother. The maid had come from this village and had been working with Wang Jianjun for the past 40 years.

The brother, Cheng Ru Shan, was the Cheng Heng Han's twin and lived in the village as the medic. His wife, Cheng Daiyu, was quite docile while his child, Cheng Bohai, acted as if he had eaten 20 pounds of sugar and bounced off the walls constantly.

After returning back to the Wang estate with a headache, the maid and the assistant separated for the rest of the day. The letters had been piling up on Wang Jianjun's desk, and while Li Xiao had read them, she couldn't write a response without Wang Jianjun's actual input.

Then, she got a letter actually addressed to her--well, Zhùshǒu Shi Zixin, to be more exact.

It was from Wang Jianjun's daughter, Fan Mingzhu. She said she was thankful that her father had an assistant and asked that Shi Zixin would take good care of him for her. Li Xiao was thankful for this letter and kept it inside her bedroom's drawer.

When Wang Jianjun returned home, it marked a full month since Li Xiao's arrival and he had noticed she had looked completely different compared to how she first appeared. In his time away, she had finished Guanzi and The Methods of the Sima and was now moving onto Wei Laozi. Her appearance wasn't as delicate as before and she moved with a certain air of confidence that not many women of this time had.

"You've built up quite a letter stack," she said to Wang Jianjun upon his arrival. "It's still fairly early, about 8 or so. Do you want to go over the letters' contents?"

He nods and the two walk side-by-side to Wang Jianjun's office. For the next hour, the two discuss the letters.

A knock sounded suddenly.

"Come in," Wang Jianjun mutters under his breath, and Cheng Heng Han scurries in with another letter. "It's from General Wu," she says as she passes the letter to Wang Jianjun. Wang Jianjun passes the letter to Li Xiao and Li Xiao opens it.

Her eyes quickly scour over the contents.

"He's joking about how he wondered how the old man's handwriting suddenly improved but then says he appreciates the rationing idea for food when quartering of soldiers begins to occur," Li Xiao informs. Her eyes finally hit the bottom of the letter and her eyes widen.

"And he says that we'll be at war before the next winter."

The room was solemn for a moment before Wang Jianjun broke the silence. "This letter doesn't need a response. It was a statement, nothing more, nothing less."

Wang Jianjun rose from his seat slowly, joints cracking. "I'm going to the courtyard. I am not to be disturbed."

With that, the icy man left the room. Cheng Heng Han sighs sadly.

"He is going to train even harder. I'll need to get more ointment from my brother in the village, now..."

"Ointment?" Li Xiao asks as the maid nods. "For his hands."

Li Xiao's mind flashes back to how gnarled his hands appeared and how the General joked about Li Xiao's handwriting.

It all made much more sense now...

That night, Li Xiao went to the courtyard's door and removed the sword given to her. After doing 200 of each exercise and stretching aplenty, the sword's weight felt like nothing in her hands. She opened the courtyard's door and saw that the old man was already practicing with two wooden staffs, twirling them slowly in each hand as he lunged at the wooden dummy.

Wang Jianjun glanced at the girl in the doorway and how a steady hand clenched her sword.

"I knew you had changed," he mutters as she nods.

"I want to be able to fight and I promised myself that I will. I had to become stronger and here I am."

"Put that away," he demands as the girl's heart dropped. "Come here and I shall see what you're made of."

She smiled at this and put away the sword. Li Xiao walked over to Wang Jianjun and he passed her a staff.

"If I deem you are worthy, you may join me in training once more."

Li Xiao nods and takes a stance as the two slowly back away from each other. Wang Jianjun expected the young girl to lunge forward in impatience, but she stayed there quietly with daunting eyes.

He decided to make the first move and lunged at her while swinging for her chest. She blocks it with ease. He continues to strike at her and she keeps blocking, leaving the old man to wonder where she got these skills from.

Li Xiao was glad that the 200 points she had spent had allowed her to learn such basic defense and attacks, yet she knew she wasn't going to last much longer against this veteran. When Wang Jianjun swung the end of his staff at Li Xiao's head, she didn't see the side sweep that had kicked her own legs out from under her. Li Xiao's butt landed in the snow as she looked up at Wang Jianjun's face illuminated by the moon.

He hadn't sweat even a single drop.

"You are good, for a girl. However, you can be better and become a woman."

He extends a hand to her and Li Xiao accepts it with a smile.

For the next couple of months, the two trained side by side. Li Xiao's butt was being kicked in sparring every day, but their sessions would extend every day. Wang Jianjun had noticed that Li Xiao was becoming a superb war strategist. She finished up Wei Liaozi, Wuzi and the Three Strategies of Huang Shigong and was now moving on to Huolongjing. It even seemed as if she had memorized most of the strategies there, and Wang Jianjun began to weigh her opinions on matters seriously.

Li Xiao's three months with the old man had changed her. In her previous life, at three months she was being romanced by a jealous prince and an arrogant man. In here, she was pushing her physical body to the limits. If she asked which world she preferred more, she could definitely say that this world made her actually feel as if she was doing something worthwhile.

Wang Jianjun decided to visit his daughter's house and bring Li Xiao alongside him. When Li Xiao introduced herself as the assistant, Fan Mingzhu said she expected someone manlier in a light tone. Fan Chao, her husband, and Fan Mingzhu's three daughters, Fan Luli, Fan Liu, and Fan Lihau, all seemed like wonderful people. After everyone had gone to bed, Li Xiao and Fan Mingzhu stayed up and drank tea together, both unable to sleep.

"Why do you usually stay up so late?" Li Xiao had asked upon seeing Fan Mingzhu wander the halls.

"I get bad nightmares. If I get less sleep, they usually stay away," Fan Mingzhu comments as she sips tea. "Shi Zixin, why is your name so manly, if I may ask?"

"I don't know. Whenever I asked my parents they never told me," Li Xiao lies.

"I hope this doesn't sound rude, but you do have an androgynous type of beauty around you," Fan Mingzhu compliments. A slight smirk comes onto Li Xiao's face, unknown to Fan Mingzhu.

"Thank you."

The two continued to drink tea during the night for the rest of the week. On the last night, Fan Mingzhu had a request for Li Xiao.

"Please watch out for my father. I've noticed that he seems to be more...scatterbrained than usual. He's been that way ever since I left the house about eight years ago and left him alone. I'm the only daughter that still talks to him regularly, but the others who have visited from time to time still notice this..." she trails off as her plum lips lightly bite her nails.

"It's probably due to stress from the possibility of war, but I'll still keep an eye out," Li Xiao promises. "Thank you," Fan Mingzhu says as she holds out a pale hand. In it was the fish charm that seemed to always be looped around Wang Jianjun's waist.

"It seems as if this has dropped a few days ago from his belt and he hasn't noticed on it or commented about it." Fan Mingzhu places it in Li Xiao's hands. "As my father says, 'do with it what you will.' I trust you enough with it."

And upon returning home, Li Xiao asked Wang Jianjun if he had forgotten anything at his daughter's house. He paused for a moment before saying "nothing."

Li Xiao hurried to his desk and quickly put the fish charm aside on the desk in plain view. When he shifted through the papers on his desk, he paid no mind to it, as if it had been there all along.

"Write to General Yao that we should move the troops about 2 km west of where we wished to put them earlier. The snow would be even worse in the East," he says as he picks up a book and begins reading. Cheng Heng Han comes in with breakfast and the two dine.

"I am going to train more. Before you join me, write General Yao and say that we should move the troops about 2 km west of where we wished to put them earlier because-"

"The snow would be even worse in the east?" Li Xiao finishes and the old man nods.

"Yes, that's good."

The old man puts a hand on Li Xiao's head as he always had, giving her a smile before walking off. Li Xiao watched him walk away, sadness creeping into her heart.

I know what's happening to him and I can't do anything to help.

Upon approaching Cheng Heng Han on this matter, the maid simply nodded. "I'd be a horrible servant if I wasn't noticing my master's problems," she agreed. "But there is little to do. Moxibustion helps with his hands a bit and so does my brother's ointment, but there is no treatment for his mind other than love and care."

Cheng Heng Han glanced down at the Zhùshǒu and wondered what the young girl will do when the time comes.

Four more months passed, marking seven months since Li Xiao's arrival. In less than a month everything would be coming to fruition so Li Xiao worked even harder. She now appeared more masculine than feminine in her plain clothes and bland hairstyles. She was extremely muscular underneath her loose clothes, and sadly, had no boobs left.

And, the worst part about it, she had finally beaten Wang Jianjun in sparring with the wooden staffs. And she wasn't even sure if it was because she had beaten a master of war or a crippled old dog.

Li Xiao was now the primary person in charge of the battle tactics. She finished Wujing Zongyao and had read nearly all of Wang Jianjun's personal manifestos on war. While she still read the letters to Wang Jianjun and he inputted his opinion on the matters, it was obvious he was in a state of mental decline; especially since he exhibited almost the exact same signs Eman's uncle did before he left.

And then that morning came.

Li Xiao didn't see Wang Jianjun at training nor in his office. During breakfast, she asked Cheng Heng Han where Wang Jianjun was.

"He didn't wake up for training," she responds. "He woke up for breakfast when I came to his room."

Li Xiao rises from her position. "Take me to him, please."

The servant nods and guides Li Xiao to the old man's room. Cheng Heng Han slides open the door without knocking and reveals Wang Jianjun sitting at a table with a bowl of soup sitting beside him.

He turns to see a girl standing next to Cheng Heng Han. Confusion passes over his face.

"Li...Li Zhao?" he asks as the black-haired girl smiles softly.

"I missed you at breakfast today, Wang Jianjun."

"But breakfast is right here," he gestures to the soup and she nods.

"Silly me, I must've forgotten myself," Li Xiao laughs off.

"You're still an apprentice," he waves off. "You have much to learn, still. After breakfast, I'll be taking my afternoon nap."

"Of course, I won't bother you."

His assistant nods before leaving, sliding the door behind her. Li Xiao leaned against the wooden frame, her trembling hand clenching the cloth of her tunic, a resolution settling in her mind.

Heading back to the study, Li Xiao reads the letters for the day as Cheng Heng Han enters the room and sits down at the table.

"Can you please write a letter for me?" Cheng Heng Han asks and Li Xiao nods, preparing a letter.

"I need you to ask the Fans to come to live at the estate," the maidservant requests. "In Wang Jianjun's will, he asked for his youngest daughter to inherit the estate. Wang Jianjun is in no state to be leaving the house, and I'd think it'd be best if they'd come for his final months."

Cheng Heng Han says solemnly before chuckling softly as she pulls out a letter she tried writing on her own. It was scratched shakily onto paper, barely legible, but obviously had a lot of effort put into it.

"I will do," Li Xiao agrees as she begins writing the letter. The two sit in silence while Li Xiao adds the finishing touches before preparing the letter to be sent.

"And this letter was for Wang Jianjun, but..." Cheng Heng Han trails off as she passes the letter to Li Xiao. Li Xiao opens it and feels her heart drop.

"'Wang Jianjun, you are requested to fulfill your duty and join the war,'" Li Xiao reads. "'Report to the designated base at the bottom of this letter and report by the end of the month to claim an officer position.' It's from General Wu as well..."

Cheng Heng Han nods. "I see." Cheng Heng Han's calf-like eyes drift up from her lap to see determination settle on Li Xiao's face.

"How long of a journey will it take to arrive in Pou?"

"A week," Cheng Heng Han informs, her voice feeble, even though she figured this was the only way.

"I have a few days only to prepare, then. When you deliver the letters, please acquire me some male clothing and bandages from the village," Li Xiao requests as she begins writing the letter.

'General Wu, I regret to inform you that my master, Wang Jianjun, is in no state for battle. I, Shi Zixin, will go in his place. As his apprentice, I hope to continue his legacy. I will see you on the field. -Shi Zixin.'

She passes the letter to Cheng Heng Han and she takes it in her hand dutifully. "I'll go right away." She dashes off, leaving Li Xiao alone in the drafty room.

Li Xiao begins writing a letter for Fan Mingzhu and places it on the desk.

'Am I doing the right thing, 008?'

'When has a villainess ever been concerned with doing the right thing?' 008 responds before pausing. 'But, if I was a human in your situation, I think this would be the best thing to do.'

Li Xiao sighs. She begins packing a large bag of necessary goods when Cheng Heng Han comes back with many clothing items.

"This was the best I could do," she informs. She gave Li Xiao three flexible undershirts in a tan color. Then, she gave three plain tunics in dark red, blue and black. Finally, she gave three pairs of leather pants and a pair of leather boots. For accessories, she handed over a pair of thick leather gloves and a leather belt fitted with a loop around it for a saber.

"I bought plenty of food for your journey as well. I'll arrange it in another bag for you," she informs. "I'll also bring out Wang Jianjun's armor from the storage and his old winter cloak."

Li Xiao nods in thanks then excuses herself for a nap. Over the next couple of days, she mentally and physically prepared herself for the long journey by eating plenty of food and meditating. She helped prepare the excess rooms for the Fan family and helped cook with Cheng Heng Han. Yet, it was very solemn and Li Xiao felt as if there was a grey cloud over her head the entire time.

The night before she left, she went to Wang Jianjun's room.

"Goodnight, Li Zhao," he says to her as she smiles. "Goodnight."

Cheng Heng Han tucks him into bed as Li Xiao leaves the room to go to her own. She quickly dons the masculine clothing after binding her chest. After putting on the heavy armor, she dons the warm cloak that made her swelter in the warm room.

Cheng Heng Han enters the room to examine the figure.

"You've grown up to be quite the handsome young man," Cheng Heng Han lightly jokes. Li Xiao smiles lightly before bowing deeply.

"I cannot thank you enough for everything-" Li Xiao is cut off by a big hug, which is quite uncommon in this culture. Li Xiao freezes before hugging back. Cheng Heng Han steps back as she examines the girl who became like a daughter to her in the past seven months.

"Come back safe."

Cheng Heng Han passes over her master's polished saber. It was not one that Li Xiao nor Wang Jianjun used for practice, but one that had been made for a younger figure. It was longer yet nimbler, perfect for Li Xiao.

"He requested it to be made only a couple weeks after you arrived," Cheng Heng Han says as she wipes away a tear. "He knew from the very beginning you were made for greatness."

Li Xiao examines the black hilt and its golden details. Around the yuanshi hilt was a black tassel and an ornate golden mouthpiece. The guard of the blade had waves patterns carved gently into the metal. Li Xiao unsheathes the saber and looked at the pristine silver of the blade.

It's beautiful.

She quickly sheathes it and puts it into the loop around her belt, noticing it fit perfectly.

"I couldn't have been one to not gift you something as well," Cheng Heng Han says as she holds up a metal charm for Li Xiao. It was a simple jade circle with red thread looping through it.

"I know it's not much-"

"Thank you," Li Xiao bows before attaching the charm to her belt loop. Even though it was tacky by itself, on Li Xiao's entire outfit it seemed to symbolize a humble personality.

"I'll lead you to the stable."

Li Xiao grabs the bag she had packed and lugs it alongside her. She passes by Wang Jianjun's door and stops in front of it, giving one final bow, before walking away as her heart trembled for the old man.

Li Xiao was finally guided to the stable to Wang Jianjun's horse. He was a shorter horse with a thick coat, typical for the area.

"Hello, Aiguo," Li Xiao coaxes the horse as she stroked him softly.

"Have you ridden a horse yourself?" Cheng Heng Han asks. After all, when Li Xiao had visited the Fan family she rode in a carriage alongside Wang Jianjun.

"Yes," Li Xiao says, even if she hadn't ridden a horse before in this world. After attaching her items to the saddle, Li Xiao pulls herself onto the horse with expert precision. It seems as if the muscle memory has carried over...

Li Xiao pulls the hood up over her face as she glances out at the snow falling softly from outside the stable, illuminated yellow by the flickering lamps.

"You have the maps? The food?" Cheng Heng Han clucks like a worried mother as Li Xiao laughs, pulling the thick gloves onto her fingers.

"I have everything."

"I suppose this is goodbye for now, then, Shi Zixin," Cheng Heng Han sighs sadly.

"Goodbye for now," Shi Zixin agrees as she takes on her new role. "Take care, please."

With that, the figure rode off into the snow, unknowing of the tears dripping down Cheng Heng Han's face.

=====

If you like this story, please vote, comment, and add to your library. And thank you for all the support!

Also, I don't know a lot about Chinese formalities in references to talking to others. So, if you notice I'm not using correct referrals, please let me know!