Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

"Hmph, betraying the Commandery Princess cannot be easily forgiven. Although Jade City is prosperous, he cannot stay there forever. This time, he left Jade City for an important matter and was hunted down by the Commandery Princess. Severely injured, he fled here."

"We searched the mountain initially to find him, and upon encountering you, we invited you into the cave dwelling for proper hospitality."

Li Xian thought, "So that’s it, that’s it. No wonder they searched the mountain for someone; they immediately put on headgear. Since entering the city as an undercover agent, it’s best not to know each other’s faces and appearances! If I had known, I would have spent money to stay at an inn. Traveling the Jianghu, if you lack money, trouble will surely increase."

The doctor asked, "But... but it wasn’t explained why specifically make us infiltrate Jade City and act as undercover agents. Our skills and abilities are just ordinary. Even if we infiltrate Jade City, I’m afraid it will be difficult... difficult to accomplish anything."

Xu Cheng said, "Jade City is too prosperous. Although this Xu Cheng holds an important position, he is just a small needle inserted into Jade City, a mere ripple. Have you ever seen a ripple overturn a great river? Naturally impossible."

He cupped his hands toward the sky and respectfully said, "Princess An Yang is astute and strategic, with wisdom beyond the heavens, and a vast vision. She understands that destroying Jade City is no easy task. People like Xu Cheng, who play with waves, are necessary."

"Similarly, those of you who seem insignificant are also indispensable. If you can rise early, all the better. If your capabilities are limited, just lie dormant for the long term. There may come a time when you can be useful. The plan to destroy the city is not one year, two years; ten years can wait, a hundred years can plan, and the opportunity to succeed will surely come."

Li Xian thought to himself, "This Commandery Princess... must be an extraordinarily deep character. If I encounter him, I must be extremely cautious!"

The hearts of the people turned dark, unsure of what to say. The doctor asked, "Then... we lay dormant in Jade City, can we go out in the future?"

Xu Cheng smiled and said, "With Jade City so prosperous and a place people yearn for, why go outside?"

The farmer said in terror, "But... but... I have an elderly mother... and a wife at home."

Xu Cheng said, "For grand ambitions, sacrifices are inevitable. Once you enter Jade City, if you have the capability, you can marry a new wife and have new children. There are no objections to this."

He paced back and forth, saying:

"If I’m not wrong, among you are some ordinary clay embryos and some who have entered the Martial Arts. But all of you are scattered, without any power backing you, nor much wealth, and most are from other places."

"If not, why sleep in the wilderness? There’s a small town nearby where you could settle. People like you are best suited to serve as undercover agents, becoming a drop of water, silently growing, silently cultivating. I’ve said much to you now, and it may be hard to digest at once, and even resent us. But it doesn’t matter; your lives will be spared. Just follow the orders in the future, and there will be opportunities to achieve success."

"Don’t think too much, just digest and accept it well."

Turning away, only the sound of sobs and sorrow among the crowd was heard. Suddenly struck by calamity, displaced from their homes, hiding in Jade City, never able to leave in their lifetime, filled with dread and fear—truly pitiful and lamentable.

...

...

Xu Cheng assigned Li Xian to guard the cave entrance. Li Xian naturally agreed, continuing to hide his identity. He looked out at the sky, seeing the night’s shadow fading and the warm sun rising from the east, as another night passed unnoticed.

Li Xian had already observed the terrain and topography, finding it difficult to escape. He silently counted the Black Armored Soldiers, about a thousand of them.

Their armor was strong, and their blades were sharp, all elite soldiers. Moreover, their array was extremely sophisticated. Li Xian’s skills and abilities were not insignificant, but facing them alone and breaking through the array would be difficult.

He thought, "When noon comes, during the shift change and rest time, I can find an excuse to relieve myself. As long as I escape most of the surrounding, I can suddenly make a full speed escape. Although the array is formidable, it is not as flexible as a person. I just need them unable to form an array and surround me, and I have an eighty percent chance of escaping."

With a plan in mind, he calmed his mood and silently observed the patrol routes of the soldiers, noting the blind spots of their vision and the natural terrain. He assessed which locations could be used to his advantage and which were dangerous. He also observed the soldiers’ martial arts depth, their specialties and strengths.

From various details, he could see the clues.

As noon approached, the weather grew sultry. Suddenly, a commotion stirred among the Black Armored Soldiers. Xu Cheng hurriedly ran out from his tent after receiving news of the "arrival of the Commandery Princess," and waved for Li Xian to join them in welcoming the Commandery Princess.

Li Xian’s heart sank, realizing a sudden change had occurred. He had to act according to circumstances, following Xu Cheng and a dozen Black Armored Soldiers to the gorge entrance to greet.

Before long.

In the distance, a streak of red appeared on the mountain path. It was a crimson sedan chair of supreme design, its top embellished with gilded phoenix carvings, primarily in gold and red colors, with silk ribbons flying like a crimson phoenix spreading its wings.

Under the noon light, the crimson sedan’s reflection flickered, brilliant and eye-catching, causing the blue-green water and the beautiful natural scenery to pale in comparison.

Rumor has it that the imperial family is of a higher status, and during a dynasty’s prosperity, the blessings of heaven and earth could cause rivers to change course and mountains to move when the royal family traveled. Li Xian wasn’t sure of the truth, but watching the crimson sedan from afar, it certainly seemed extraordinary. Before getting close, a sense of nobility was already pressing in.

Four graceful maidens carried the sedan, their skin fair and faces beautiful, wearing the palace attire of the Great Wu Dynasty. While carrying the sedan, they seemed to dance gracefully, with their skirts swaying and dazzling. The sedan appeared light as a cloud, floating like mist, carried with no effort at all.

Those maidens were proficient in the Martial Arts, treading over rugged terrains, stony paths, and dense thickets without the crimson sedan swaying even a bit.

In the blink of an eye, the crimson sedan seemed to have moved several yards closer. Each blink felt like the four maidens moved several yards in the blink’s gap. But staring intently, it seemed that the sedan moved slowly, and the maidens danced lightly.

The crimson sedan came from the west. Along the way, there was a narrow plank road that hadn’t been used for a long time. The wind and rain had taken their toll, and several wooden planks were rotted.