Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

The official said, "This isn’t a small matter. For someone like you, owing over ten thousand taels, which has accumulated interest to over ninety thousand taels, there have been only a few cases like this over the years. Now, do you know your brother’s whereabouts, or not? You should know, capturing him would not just earn a few thousand taels of silver but could bring in tens of thousands. Brotherly love might not withstand the temptation of silver."

Li Xian said, "I do not know." The official replied, "Then there’s no way."

It turns out that the original creditor, "Li Gui," had died on the road, with no remains found. Li Gui had no kin or clan, a wandering soul, and upon death, it was impossible to find anyone to take on the debt. The debt interest rolled on, growing larger and larger.

If not for Princess An Yang’s interference, it would be a hopeless case.

The official said, "I discern from your records that you are a Second Realm Martial Artist, and a solitary one at that, without family backing. Repaying this ninety thousand taels is fearfully difficult."

Li Xian thought to himself, "The journey to Jade City is indeed far more challenging than anticipated. Before, I was too optimistic. But no matter, as long as I’m alive, I can figure out step by step." He folded his hands and said, "Ninety thousand taels is a lot, but I will find a way to repay it."

The official said, "You’re mistaken, mistaken. The method of repayment is arranged by us, not for you to figure out on your own."

The official brought out a box with dozens of compartments. Each compartment contained a Token, and he said, "Coming to Jade City to settle debts requires respecting our Jade City rules. I will consider your case and grant you a ’Miner Token’ to mine jade for Jade City. Every month, you can pay off four hundred taels."

"If you perform well, your debt repayment can be suspended. Pay attention to the ’Qingping Tower’, which assigns tasks. If managed properly, you can repay even more."

...

Li Xian held the "Miner Token", while a jade bracelet was fixed on his left wrist. This is the "Ingenious Craft: Cage Bracelet", which corresponds mysteriously with the Jade City terrain, causing disorientation if one leaves the city, ultimately unwittingly leading back.

Within the Cage Bracelet are small needles, piercing the flesh, extremely difficult to remove. It also emits silk threads, instantly entrapping the wearer.

In a waiting room of Qingping Tower, debt slaves entered one after another, all appearing pale and exhausted. The burly man, the swordmaster from the cottage, the charming woman... all encountered again.

Repayment methods varied. The burly man was assigned as a laborer aboard a ship, responsible for heavy lifting. He owed thirty-five thousand taels, not an enormous sum. With his martial arts skills, if outside Jade City, he could amass money and repay it in a year or two.

Yet upon entering Jade City, the official arranged for him to be a laborer, repaying just two hundred taels a month. He was very dissatisfied, stating that if he could arrange repayment himself, he could clear the debt in two years without such hassle.

The official snickered, saying one sentence that struck the burly man like thunder. The official said, "For a martial artist like you, who doesn’t know that tens of thousands of taels are just a year’s expenses? My Jade City is so vast and mighty; it doesn’t concern itself with a mere few tens of thousands of taels. Our Jade City’s debt isn’t about repaying quickly, but repaying without clearing, slowly repaying over time."

The burly man realized the inner workings. No matter how large the debt, it couldn’t be cleared in a few years. It had to be orchestrated and arranged by them: when you’re not needed, you exhaust yourself; when needed, you fight desperately. A simple debt could consume half your life, drive you throughout your life.

Upon realizing the workings of this, the Cage Bracelet was already worn, and the dust had settled. Accepting was the only option.

The swordmaster from the cottage owed twenty-three thousand taels, encountering similar mishaps. The charming woman on the ship owed only four thousand taels, arranged to work as a songstress in "Flower Dream Tower" to repay.

Li Xian gently turned the Ruyi Ring, the situation shifted, becoming more ominous, thinking, "Princess An Yang was absolutely correct; Jade City is indeed a place of sin. Before, I heard him say Jade City drains and extracts people, but hadn’t experienced it personally. Now, firsthand, it is truly vile."

Though still calm, fury burned within him. He held the "Miner Token", thinking, "What a Princess An Yang, placing me in such a predicament. If I gain power in the future, I’ll make sure you suffer tenfold."

Despite the fiery heart, his face remained calm. After half an hour, a group of constables arrived, leading everyone to different places. Though Jade City’s debts were hard to repay, it wouldn’t leave one hopeless and utterly abandoned. It always offers hope, presenting various tasks to largely cancel debts, stimulating people’s determination, motivating them to fight hard, and toying with emotions back and forth.

Li Xian boarded the prisoner’s wagon, leaving Jade City. He arrived at the mountain range in the west of Jade City. He owed "ninety thousand two hundred taels of silver", assigned the most gruesome repayment duties, requiring him to descend into the earth and delve into the sea to mine jade.

The constable escorted Li Xian to the western mine. A man named "Zhang Cun" took over to integrate him into the team, respectfully sending off the constable, then turned to inquire about Li Xian’s situation. Learning Li Xian owed ninety thousand two hundred taels, he said, "Brother, you’re truly miserable."

"Do you know how long the previous person who owed ninety thousand two hundred taels and became a miner took to repay?"

Li Xian curiously asked. Zhang Cun said, "A full forty-six years. He was also a martial artist, reputedly not weak, but took forty-six years to barely clear the debt. At the moment the debt was completely settled, he laughed toward the sky, couldn’t take a breath, and died just like that."

Li Xian asked, "Brother Zhang, how long have you been repaying, and how much do you owe?" Zhang Cun smiled and said, "I’m fast; I originally owed thirty thousand taels, busy and toiling through six years, have paid off nineteen thousand taels. In three to five more years, I should clear it."

Zhang Cun led the way, explaining the details of repayment. Miners worked in teams of five, jointly exploring the caves to mine jade. They entered at dawn and exited at dusk. Each month, four hundred taels were repaid.

Purely depending on "monthly repayment of four hundred taels" was still insufficient to cover the interest. The debt would inevitably build up higher and higher, eternally hard to repay. Jade City "drains and extracts, never letting one feel utterly hopeless."