Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

When the song ended, a sense of regret arose. Thinking of past heroes, now merely gravestones. Immediately, it transformed into excitement; life comes once, one should pursue what one desires and wants, living freely and happily.

Several songstresses came one after another, playing the pipa, blowing flutes and reeds, or beating drums and playing the zither. After each performance, the audience cheered loudly. The troupe leader took the opportunity to carry a basket wrapped in red cloth to various seats to solicit rewards.

The extravagant patrons rewarded four or five taels of silver per song. The troupe leader bowed in admiration, and others would praise and toast. For a moment, their faces radiated and the reward-givers couldn’t help but look proud.

The more ordinary ones gave dozens to hundreds of wen coins. If they refused to offer rewards, the troupe leader would bow and say: "Unable to please the esteemed guests, truly sorry," then turn away.

Others would inevitably give them a sideways glance, with an odd meaning. Those with thinner skin would blush deeply, extremely embarrassed. When the next song ended, to restore their face, they would reward lavishly, several hundred wen coins, erasing the strange meaning from other guests.

Li Xian observed silently, knowing that making a living was not easy, and that the lyrics and melodies were indeed satisfactory. So, he rewarded twenty or so wen coins, ten or so wen coins... Though not much, it was adequate. The songstresses warmed up the scene, and the troupe leader struck the copper gong, as the main play began.

The Wu Family Troupe excelled in the "Dragon Slaying Play." The performance was incredibly exciting, with a plot full of twists and turns. Li Xian watched with great interest. By this time, night had darkened, and many lights gradually lit up.

Suddenly, the sound of fireworks crackled from the street side. In a lane within Renhuang Square, a wine shop had just opened. Arranging all sorts of performances to add joy, setting off fireworks, generously distributing candies and beans, it was very lively.

The owner was all smiles, warmly welcoming guests and friends. For a moment, the shop was bustling, a scene of harmony and excitement. Li Xian’s gaze wandered, seeing in a dim corner, several ragged commoners vying for leftover food.

Jade City’s scenes were all before his eyes.

Beside the Far Guest Inn, the "Mingxiang Tea House" offered a novel beverage: Crisp Tea. Made from honey, goat milk, ice, and fruit. Once launched, it quickly became popular. Many young disciples from various clans enjoyed drinking Crisp Tea.

The waiter from the Far Guest Inn came upstairs to inquire, offering to purchase Crisp Tea and deliver it to the table. Just for the long night of non-stop performances, having Crisp Tea for some distraction was another kind of pleasure.

Li Xian asked the price, one cup of Crisp Tea cost "forty-nine wen". He couldn’t help but click his tongue secretly, finding it quite expensive. But since he had decided to relax and have fun, there was no need to worry about the price, so he ordered the waiter to buy Crisp Tea.

At this moment, a mud-bodied person had already heard of the famous "Crisp Tea" but had never tasted it. Out of curiosity, he also asked the waiter to help purchase. On the third floor, the audience thought: "Ah! Even this mud-bodied person is curious about Crisp Tea’s taste. What’s the hesitation!"

All wanted to buy Crisp Tea. Thus, coming and going, more than half of them bought Crisp Tea. The waiter noted it down, knowing the "Mingxiang Tea House". He continued upstairs and downstairs, rushing back and forth between "Mingxiang Tea House" and "Far Guest Inn", delivering each order of Crisp Tea to the tables.

The waiters inevitably assessed the guests, serving the mud-bodied guests first, then those in luxurious attire who gave generous tips. Li Xian was the first to purchase "Crisp Tea" but received it last. He didn’t mind, savoring it carefully.

Crisp Tea was sweet and refreshing, with a good taste indeed. Li Xian watched the performance and listened to the songs, observing the street while sipping tea, enjoying the lively atmosphere until late at night.

The play was still in its second half when Li Xian returned to his room, restoring quietness once more. Jade City was prosperous, but it couldn’t distract his true thoughts. He pondered: "When I practice martial arts, ultimately it’s to explore the martial arts path and to live better. Pleasure and indulgence are not wrong, but must have moderation. Jade City’s prosperity; I can experience it slowly in the future. It cannot delay the real business."

Li Xian took a bath and changed into loose clothes, lying in bed. Amidst the small pleasures of a bustling world, he should ponder the future ahead: "Since leaving Willing Death Valley, my strength has indeed returned. Over these months, I’ve quickly absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, and through several food-grabbing banquets, my martial arts have actually progressed."

[Bone Shaping and Embryo]

[Skill Level: 15/100]

He sensed his physical condition, bones were firm, qi power increased. Then he thought: "Though Jade City is prosperous, martial artists are still a minority. My Martial Arts Second Realm, after all, can be considered a minor expert. But... In such a prosperous city like Jade City, there’s no lack of wealthy families, nor strong martial arts practitioners. Just relying on martial arts to stand out is really difficult. Committing crimes is beneath me, and must not be done. How to seek advancement is a significant problem."

"Moreover... The cost in Jade City is high, my forty taels of silver are truly not much. Without income, eventually, the capital will dwindle. The distance to stand out... After all, it’s a bit far. If I can first find a door that can leverage my strengths while securing stable income, connecting with high-ranking individuals from various clans, it would be best!"

"With such an arrangement, I can discover opportunities and plan long-term. In spare time, advance in martial arts without neglecting other paths."

Li Xian paced back and forth, knowing that to seek advancement, he must leverage his own strengths. With self-confidence, quietly seek opportunities, is indeed a good strategy, thinking carefully to gradually clarify the direction to take. He then pondered: "My strengths, perhaps there are two. One is hunting skills, which currently, there’s no way to use here. The second is medical skills, I inherited the Ghost Doctor’s teachings, daily studying the Heart Skill of Medicine and the Ethics of Medicine... Recently, I’ve had some realizations, making further progress in medical skills."

Li Xian’s eyes brightened: "Indeed, my medical skills should be the good skill to help me break through. Moreover, I can use this opportunity to access herbs, tasting myriad herbs, attempting to unlock bodily toxins. However... In the line of the Ghost Doctor, we don’t use medical skills to seek wealth or power. Doing such self-serving things with medical skills, is it a violation of medical intent? Also, in the Ghost Doctor’s line, we need people to seek medical aid before treating them."