Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Now, let me tell you about Li Xian’s journey to enter "Willing Death Valley," which was quite an ordeal. Willing Death Valley has an esteemed background, mysterious and unpredictable, unknown to ordinary townsfolk and constables alike, even unheard of. Li Xian, with his clever and astute mind, found one path blocked and promptly switched to another, thinking clearly and sharply. Using methods like "Rooting Hair," he managed to glean some peripheral information.

Debt Slaves have two opportunities each month to enter and leave Jade City, but they must head directly to Qingping Tower to receive assignments, wearing caged bracelets, wandering about, sure to be interrogated by patrolling soldiers. Successfully completing an assignment reduces their debt. Li Xian thought: "This huge debt requires forty years to repay by normal means. Since I’ve decided not to take the ordinary path, I must not do ordinary things."

The next morning, under the pretense of going to Qingping Tower for an assignment, Li Xian entered Jade City. In truth, he wandered leisurely around the city, observing the situation, and taking the opportunity to investigate the state of "Willing Death Valley."

Li Xian roamed the city for several miles, but progress remained elusive. Yet, he gradually noticed the patrolling soldiers eyeing him subtly. He knew that if he idled for a moment more, he’d be sent back to Jade Pillar Mountain. But he wasn’t satisfied with the scant information he’d gathered to leave just yet.

A flash of inspiration struck him as he tied his hair to a stone, waiting for the right moment to toss the stone onto a high point, like the corner of a tall building or the top of a tree.

Doing so allowed him to physically depart, yet leave his senses lingering in the city, granting him an excellent perspective, keen to see and hear. He recalled the appearance of the "Willing Death Cliff Token," a dark jade token. These tokens, like accessories, symbolize status. Whoever obtains a token occasionally carries it on them.

With this dual focus, days passed, and he indeed discovered several token bearers. They traveled in carriages, exceedingly wealthy. However, his means were limited; even recognizing the token bearers didn’t reveal any secrets about "Willing Death Valley."

Yet it is a bold assumption that "Willing Death Valley" should lie outside the city. All token bearers headed out of the city.

Ultimately, progress was lacking; Li Xian calmed his mind, resolved to plan long-term, striving to find "Willing Death Valley" gradually. Days passed, using hair observation in the city, uncovering other truths: Jade City did not impose a curfew, but at night, the mountains conceal dangers, preventing ordinary citizens and constables alike from venturing out easily.

But each deep night around the second watch, travelers often leave the city, wearing black, with hooded hats and black sacks on their backs. Initially different days, excuses made sense, but the pattern continued.

The strange phenomena sparked Li Xian’s suspicion. He then recalled hearing of a nearby dense forest with a hidden "Little Ghost Market," open daily from the second watch to the third watch. It contained a mixed crowd, various people, three religions, nine schools.

Jianghu Tigerchen secretly harbors "rare jade types," manipulating various channels for selling them at the Little Ghost Market for profit. Jade City appears grand yet can’t escape encroaching parasites, consuming it from within. As the water becomes clearer, containing no fish; so does Jade City’s prosperity accommodate these corrupt individuals.

Li Xian’s Jianghu experience has given him some insights; aware that such areas might possess information merchants. Using "Rooting Hair," he eavesdrops and watches, a cumbersome strategy nonetheless.

Li Xian thought: "I carry immense debts, and now that I’ve heard of ’Willing Death Valley,’ I must seize the chance. My hair can serve as ears and eyes, but it cannot listen to thoughts. Information fundamentally requires willing mouths; only then can I listen. If mouths remain shut, even long eavesdropping leaves clues unobserved. Better to act proactively than passively wait."

Following the threads, a direction emerged. Again beside and between, listening for the Little Ghost Market’s location. Discovered the "Ghost Market" wasn’t far.

Near Jade Pillar Mountain, there used to be a "bottomless pit." It was once a mining mountain, mined for jade and stone, hollowing mountain roots, causing collapse and sinking, forming a large pit.

The pit remained concealed, not far from Jade City. Gradually, people began to meet at the pit for clandestine dealings. Eventually evolving into the Little Ghost Market stronghold. Rumors...suggest a larger Ghost Market within Jade City.

Li Xian, burdened by debts, faced travel restrictions. But he had frequented sources of Jiang Tigerchen, Zhou Lie, and Biao De’s secrets, knowing their guards’ bonds quite well.

Li Xian impersonated Zhou Lie’s subordinates, using persuasive tactics. Borrowing a few taels of silver from Zhang Cun for gifts. He truly accessed the dense forest pit’s "Little Ghost Market" based on gathered intelligence.

A quiet, narrow, dark tunnel stretched for several miles before human voices grew audible. At the pit’s bottom laid various stalls selling miscellaneous items—elixirs, heavenly artifacts, fine wines and banquets; down to women’s underskirts, silk socks, daughters, children...

Isolated, bizarre, plainly exhibited.

With varying crowds, a sinister atmosphere loomed. Observing for long, Li Xian identified an "overly talkative merchant," large mouth, broad nose, living by selling information. Li Xian approached slowly, and before the merchant spoke, raised five fingers, first demanding money.

Li Xian noted his modest attire, pulling out fifty Wen Coins. The merchant succinctly spoke: "Ask."

Li Xian promptly inquired about "Willing Death Valley." The merchant fell silent, extending five fingers again. Li Xian gave another fifty Wen; he shook his head without a word. Li Xian added more, yet the merchant continued shaking his head silently.

After paying everything, a total of five hundred Wen Coins, the talkative merchant still shook his head silently. Li Xian frowned, ready to grab the money and leave. The merchant immediately shielded the coins, saying, "This knowledge demands five taels of silver."

Li Xian sneered: "Not interested." His palm exerted light force. The merchant noticed Li Xian’s strong grip, nearly reclaiming the coins, hurriedly said, "Money is like water, once spilled, never retrieved. I cannot disclose specific details on Willing Death Valley, but you may ask one question."