Becoming a Saint From the Iron Armor Skill-Chapter 52: Young Master and Young Miss

The little beggar girl had been wandering for some days. Everywhere she went, she was met with disdainful looks, driven away, and bullied by local ruffians and gang members.

As for the constables from the Government Office, they were all vicious thugs. She made sure to give them a wide berth whenever she saw them.

But this constable was different. She had only met him twice, yet he had given her copper coins each time. Just moments ago, he had even stepped in to save her. In her heart, she saw him as a good person, a benefactor. That was why she had mustered the courage to follow him, hoping to repay his kindness by praying for him.

But the constable’s strong reaction suggested he had misunderstood her. He seemed to think she was following him to become his burden.

The little beggar girl explained in a slight panic,

"S-Sir, Xi’Er doesn’t mean to be a burden. I only want to know your name so that for every day I live, I can pray to the Mountain God for you."

A smile suddenly spread across Chen Cheng’s face. "I only gave you four copper coins," he said amicably. "Why did you say it was nine?"

"Huh?" A look of confusion filled the little girl’s eyes. She was young and guileless, after all. Still flustered from the recent scare and convinced that this constable was her benefactor whom she must not deceive, she answered honestly,

"You gave Xi’Er five copper coins yesterday. Even though you tapped me on the head, I knew you must have mistaken me for someone else, which is why you left the five coins."

Chen Cheng shook his head. "You must have the wrong person. I’ve never seen you before, so how could I have given you any copper coins?"

Xi’Er sniffed the air, as if trying to catch Chen Cheng’s scent. She then looked down at the ground behind him before saying with a serious expression,

"I learned to hunt with my father. I know how to track wild animals by their scent and their footprints.

Your scent is different from other people’s—it has a faint smell of rust. And your footprints... they’re shallow, so other people might not notice, but I can see them. They’re a little deeper than anyone else’s, as if you’re heavier.

So, I know it was you. I wouldn’t make a mistake."

Chen Cheng was astounded. Everything the little girl said made perfect sense.

’She’s right,’ he thought. He was wearing fifty-five pounds of Refined Iron sewn into the lining of his clothes. Since it couldn’t be wiped clean like a sword, it was inevitable that some rust would form.

As for the footprints, he was always careful to walk lightly, but the weight was still there. No matter how light his steps, his prints would be deeper than anyone else’s.

"Have you told anyone else about this?" Chen Cheng asked.

The little beggar girl shook her head vigorously. "You gave me copper coins and were kind to me, Sir. I would never blab about it. I can tell you’re a good person.

My father said that if you harm a good person, the Mountain God will eat you."

Though young, her days wandering alone had taught her a great deal about the world. She understood that Chen Cheng didn’t want anyone to know he had visited that alley.

’Forget it,’ Chen Cheng sighed to himself. ’This girl is too clever. Now that she knows my secret, I can’t just leave her to wander the streets. Besides, Xiaowan could use someone to talk to.’

After an internal sigh, Chen Cheng’s expression turned serious. "Are you willing to become a maid in my household?"

The sudden shift was so abrupt that the little girl could hardly believe her ears. Just a moment ago, Chen Cheng had looked terrified she was going to become his burden.

"Sir, is... is this real? You’re really willing to take Xi’Er in?"

Chen Cheng nodded with a smile. "Of course it is."

Overjoyed, the little girl nodded repeatedly. "I’m willing! I’m willing!

As long as you’ll take me in, Sir, I’ll work like an ox and horse for you my whole life! If I ever dare to do anything to betray your trust... then... then let the Mountain God eat me!"

"Come with me."

The two of them, one big and one small, headed toward the Chen Family residence.

The young constable, a Long Saber at his waist and a bundle over his shoulder, strode down the street with his head held high, his gait proud and confident. At his side, the grimy little beggar girl appeared reserved, yet she couldn’t hide the joy on her face or the light of hope shining in her eyes.

Pedestrians on the road were curious, but no one dared to stare or whisper a single comment.

On the way, Chen Cheng learned from the little beggar that her surname was Zhang. She was born in a year of a great winter famine. Her family barely survived until spring, so her parents named her Zhang Chunxi, meaning "Spring’s Joy," to welcome the new season.

Later, finding that too much of a mouthful, they simply called her Zhang Xi’Er.

Xi’Er’s home was a small mountain village in Qingyuan County, which was under the jurisdiction of Linji Prefecture City. For generations, the villagers had made their living as hunters.

Last winter, a Tiger Demon appeared in the mountains, killing many of the village’s hunters.

Every family in the village was forced to flee to the county seat. Along the way, they were ambushed by bandits. Xi’Er’s parents were killed, and the bandits sold her to a human trafficker. She was then resold again, eventually ending up in Linji City.

Some time ago, she managed to escape when the trafficker wasn’t looking. Disguising herself as a boy, she began to wander and beg in the South City District.

Back at Locust Tree Lane, Chen Cheng knocked on the courtyard gate.

"Xiaowan, I’m back."

Mu Xiaowan answered from the courtyard and hurried over to open the gate. Seeing Xi’Er standing beside Chen Cheng, she couldn’t help but ask, "Brother Cheng, who is this?"

"Her name is Xi’Er. She’ll be our family’s new maid."

"Huh?" Mu Xiaowan froze for a moment. ’Brother Cheng actually hired a maid?’

Xi’Er had learned about Mu Xiaowan from Chen Cheng on their walk over. Behaving herself, she immediately knelt and kowtowed to Mu Xiaowan.

"Xi’Er greets you, Miss."

Chen Cheng had been the one to teach her to say "Miss." After all, he and Mu Xiaowan weren’t formally married yet, so calling her "Madam" would be inappropriate.

How could Mu Xiaowan have anticipated this? Flustered, she quickly helped the girl to her feet.

"You don’t have to call me Miss. I’m not the young lady of some great family."

"The Young Master said I have to," Xi’Er insisted with a serious expression.

Exasperated, Mu Xiaowan shot a pleading look at Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng chuckled. "Alright, let’s go inside and talk."

Once inside, Chen Cheng recounted the story of how he had met Xi’Er.

Hearing of Xi’Er’s ordeal, Mu Xiaowan sighed with sorrow. She was kind-hearted by nature, and having had a similar past herself, she readily agreed to let Xi’Er stay on as a maid in the Chen Family.

Mu Xiaowan had already made dinner. Mutton was stewing in a pot, and even with the lid on, a tantalizing aroma wafted from the kitchen.

Xi’Er had a very keen sense of smell. She had caught the enticing scent of mutton from all the way out in the courtyard, and her eyes now drifted unconsciously toward the kitchen.

She had never eaten her fill while begging on the streets. Her mouth began to water, but she quickly swallowed and forced herself to look away from the kitchen.

’A maid is lucky just to get a full belly of coarse rice at every meal,’ she thought. ’How could I ever dare to dream of eating mutton?’

Mu Xiaowan saw her predicament and couldn’t help but smile. "Xi’Er, you must be hungry. Let’s eat."

But Xi’Er shook her head repeatedly and looked timidly at Chen Cheng. "The Young Master and Miss should eat first."