Chapter 022: The Warrior and the Monk

Aside from the long spear and curved blade, there was also a set of finely crafted armor in the bundle. The armor bore marks from blades and axes, revealing just how many fierce battles its owner had endured.

For these items, Li Zaixing paid eighteen strings of coins—twenty times the price of the slave herself, and then some. Not only that, but the carriage he’d bought for Madam Yang’s outings was first lent to this female slave. Du Fu was somewhat displeased at this, but since the carriage belonged to Li Zaixing, he had no grounds to object.

Upon returning to Pingkang Ward, Du Fu took the clothes and fabric he’d purchased and led the middle-aged female slave to Madam Yang. Ah Duan brought the horse and sturdy donkey to the stable. Lu Hu helped the woman into the house and settled her on the bed in the outer room.

Li Zaixing entered, motioned Lu Hu aside, and sat on the bed, gesturing toward the woman’s feet. The slave tensed, eyeing him warily, but after a moment, seeing he meant no harm, she relaxed and nodded.

Li Zaixing gently lifted her leg onto his own and began to knead it, inch by inch. Reaching her knee, he sighed in relief, set her leg down, and smiled, “Your injury isn’t serious—rest a few days and you’ll be fine.”

The slave looked at him in surprise, her voice hoarse as she murmured, “Thank you… master.”

“Don’t call me master,” Li Zaixing said, rising to his feet. He picked up the long spear, curved blade, and the bundle containing armor and set them beside her. “I respect you as a warrior.” He patted his chest and nodded slightly. “I am a warrior as well.”

The slave sat up, hand pressed to her chest, bowing slightly. Her face was filled with shock and wonder, mingled with a hint of relieved joy.

“My name is Li Zaixing,” he said, “May I know your true name?” The contract bore the name ‘Cao Yueji’ written in Chinese characters—clearly not her real name, for she had nothing of the Han about her.

“Airmati,” she paused, then added, “Cao Yueji is also my name, given by my former master.”

Li Zaixing smiled, “Then what should I call you?”

“I prefer Airmati.” She raised her head, meeting his gaze. “Airmati is the guardian angel of Ahura.”

Li Zaixing blinked, bewildered. What was Ahura, and who were guardian angels? He scratched his head, “Then I’ll call you Air…mati. Ah, that name’s a tongue twister—I’ll need some time to get used to it.”

He chuckled and turned to leave. He sought out Juehui for some herbs, borrowed tools for preparing medicine, and returned to the west courtyard. Du Fu had settled everything already; Madam Yang was deeply grateful for Li Zaixing’s generosity and came by to thank him personally. She named the middle-aged slave Ashin, who from then on took charge of their meals, laundry, cleaning, and other chores. Madam Yang earnestly assured Li Zaixing that until he found someone suitable, any household matters Ashin couldn’t handle could be entrusted to her.

Li Zaixing was more than pleased to agree. As the saying goes, a home is only secure with a woman present. With only himself and Lu Hu, managing the household was inconvenient. Though Ashin was nominally his purchased slave, she seemed fit only for rough work; for finer affairs, Madam Yang was better suited.

After instructing Lu Hu on how to prepare the herbs, Li Zaixing set aside his own matters for the moment and went to the training grounds. Zhigao’s leg had been broken by him; it would be three or four months before the man could stand. The warrior monks, now leaderless, were left idle, cha