Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

"Little devil, what a clever trick." Although the sword tassel was taken away, Jianwu was not angry. Instead, she praised him with a smile. Then, she used her hands to support herself on the ground and pulled herself up from the mud and rocks like pulling up a radish.

After pushing herself up, Sword Dance was covered in pebbles and mud. She laughed and said, "I used a feint, a strong attack with my mind to draw my attention, and then used my will to steal the sword tassel."

"You used the technique of 'restless mind and wandering thoughts' quite skillfully; I underestimated you."

Upon hearing the praise, Zhou Qingfeng did not become arrogant. Instead, he sincerely bowed and clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Miss Sword Dance's strength is unfathomable. I know I am no match for her, so I can only resort to some despicable tricks. Please forgive me."

He knew that Jianwu's position as the lady's personal swordswoman was far beyond what he could afford to offend, so he still had to say the right things.

Sword Dance smiled and nodded, saying nothing more, and simply turned back to the ranks of sword servants.

Zhou Qingfeng walked up to Steward Qiu and respectfully presented the sword tassel with both hands.

With a smile, Butler Qiu reached out and took the sword tassel, patted Zhou Qingfeng on the shoulder, indicating that Zhou Qingfeng could leave. Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly, turned around and stepped aside to wait quietly.

Butler Qiu raised the sword tassel and said, "See this? This is the difference between having a brain and not having a brain. A battle is not about two people standing still and comparing whose magic is stronger. It's about combat awareness, a psychological game between two people."

"When you face demons, monsters, and other cultivators in the future, they will not give you a fair chance to fight back. All you can do is use every means at your disposal to achieve your goal."

"Zhou Qingfeng did a great job. You should all learn from him, understand?"

The group exchanged glances, and Mumu nodded.

Seeing this, Butler Qiu angrily rebuked, "Do you understand? Answer me!"

Upon hearing this, everyone panicked and hurriedly shouted, "We understand!"

Butler Qiu shouted sternly, "If you understand, why are you still standing there like an idiot?"

Upon hearing this, everyone perked up and went to choose their challengers.

With Zhou Qingfeng setting an example, they had a better understanding of the situation.

It's just a feint, isn't it? Zhou Qingfeng would use it, and so would we.

So they all regained their confidence and went to challenge the sword servants one by one.

Zhou Qingfeng initially observed with great interest, but found that these people were clumsy and slow in both combat awareness and combat skills, and were completely crushed by the sword servants with their physical skills.

The only thing that can broaden one's horizons is the magic techniques that one has never seen before.

A skilled player easily defeating a novice is hardly entertaining.

Soon, the entire spell assessment came to an end. Some were eliminated, and some were defeated. No one was able to obtain the sword tassel from the sword servant. Instead, they were all beaten up by the sword servant.

Butler Qiu didn't show much change in expression as he watched them being defeated and injured. He simply took out paper and pen to record each person's performance in battle, and these records would be incorporated into each person's comprehensive evaluation file.

"I hereby announce that Zhou Qingfeng is the first place winner in this magic test!"

"Do any of you have any objections?!"

Butler Qiu announced the results of the magic assessment to everyone.

Everyone clutched their wounds, their expressions ranging from dejected to resentful to angry, but no one stepped forward to raise any objections, because the undeniable fact was that only Zhou Qingfeng had obtained the sword tassel.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng did not become arrogant, because he knew very well that he was stronger than them because he had a foundation in martial arts and his combat skills and awareness far surpassed those of these weak natives.

However, with time and experience, these novice natives can all grow and improve.

Butler Qiu glanced around to make sure no one raised any objections before turning to face the First Lady and bowing respectfully, saying, "Madam, the results of this magic assessment are in. Zhou Qingfeng is the first place winner."

The First Lady reclined languidly on her throne, casually waving her hand, and Butler Qiu immediately stepped aside.

"Come forward."

The First Lady's seemingly random remark left everyone puzzled.

Butler Qiu glanced up at Zhou Qingfeng and secretly beckoned him to come forward.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng immediately strode forward until he was ten steps away from the lady.

The beautiful, white-haired sword dancer smiled and blocked the way, indicating that she should answer the question there.

Zhou Qingfeng appeared slightly reserved, bowed, and said, "This humble one greets Madam."

The First Lady looked at Zhou Qingfeng and smiled slightly: "Don't be nervous, I'm not going to eat you. You performed very well in this magic assessment and won first place. According to the rules, you should be rewarded. Is there anything you want?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng immediately thought of his uncle's family, whose current situation he was unaware of. He was worried about their safety and wanted to ask his wife for help, but he was unsure of her temperament and dared not ask directly.

So I glanced at Butler Qiu, only to see him shake his head in acknowledgment.

Zhou Qingfeng's thoughts raced, and he immediately understood. He put aside his own thoughts, cupped his hands, and said, "This humble servant has nothing to ask for. This humble servant is Madam's man, and whatever Madam gives, this humble servant will take."

As a servant, it is most important to recognize one's own position and understand one's own status. One should only receive rewards and favors from the lady. How could a servant make demands of the lady? If one dared to make demands, it would undoubtedly incur the lady's disgust.

They haven't even established a firm foothold yet, so how can they have the right to make demands?

"Zhou Qingfeng, right? I'll remember you. You're very sensible. The manor needs talents like you." A hint of appreciation appeared on the First Lady's languid expression. "However, rules are rules, and we can't break them."

"I hereby grant you the privilege of freely entering and leaving the manor, and also bestow upon you eight hundred coins."

Zhou Qingfeng was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you, Madam."

Ye Tingxiu and the others watched with envy. Their servants were usually confined to the outer courtyard of the mansion and couldn't even leave the gates. After a month of arduous training, they were feeling extremely stifled.

Now that Zhou Qingfeng has money and can freely enter and leave the city lord's mansion, he can finally go out and relax.

This made Ye Tingxiu and the others extremely envious and jealous.

The First Lady lost interest in continuing the conversation and picked up the book that was lying to the side to start reading again.

Seeing this, Steward Qiu waved for Zhou Qingfeng and the others to return to their servants' quarters.

"Starting today, Zhou Qingfeng will have his own room. The three of you move out." As soon as they returned to the servants' courtyard, Butler Qiu shooed Zhou Qingfeng's three roommates to other rooms: "Don't be resentful."

"I'll say it again: in the first family, there's only first place and not first place."

"If you also get first place in the next assessment, you will enjoy the same special treatment as him."

Hearing this, the three roommates, despite their resentment, could only reluctantly move out of the room.

Inside the room, Butler Qiu patted his belt, and a money pouch and a waist token appeared in his palm. He tossed these items to Zhou Qingfeng, saying, "These are gifts from the Madam. Take them."

Zhou Qingfeng said, "Thank you, Butler Qiu."

Butler Qiu smiled slightly, patted Zhou Qingfeng's arm, and turned to leave.

Zhou Qingfeng weighed the money bag in his hand, not expecting the money to be of any great use.

Do you really expect a trainee slave to receive a huge bonus if he comes in first place in a periodic assessment overseen by the city lord?

Don't be silly. Being able to show your face to the city lord and be remembered is the greatest gain.

Then there are the privileges that my colleagues don't have, but that I have exclusively.

Zhou Qingfeng planned to go out and explore the city tomorrow, hoping to gain a better understanding of this world.