Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

On a bright moonlit night, feeling inspired, the Celestial Favor Sword gracefully emerged from its sheath, showcasing the ’Ode to the Moon Swordsmanship.’ This swordsmanship has weak killing power; it was derived from a famous poem. Its purpose is to express one’s feelings, appreciate the beauty of the scenery, and calm the mind. Zhao Ranran alone began a sword dance, fluttering like a startled swan, swimming like a dragon. Her body followed the sword’s movement, and the sword followed her heart’s movement, naturally achieving a peak state.

Her swordsmanship and martial arts have both reached a high level of refinement. She suddenly thought, "I have been in Jade City for more than ten days. My master instructed me to observe, listen, and feel along the way. I always keep it in mind, seeking not speed, but slowness. Sometimes I take detours, sometimes I stay for several days, just to observe the myriad circumstances of the world. That Ashamed Sword does not seem like a villain. Before I leave, why not try to help him?" Withdrawing her sword, she found Su Sushu.

Su Sushu was fiddling with ’ingeniously crafted items,’ arranging jade hearts and components into exquisite creations. Although Zhao Ranran was curious, she had never studied them in detail. She straightforwardly explained her intention to help Ashamed Sword leave the Willing Death Valley.

Upon hearing this, Su Sushu’s expression turned odd, her eyes spun, and she deliberately asked, "Sister Ran, you have no ties with this person. Why help him? In the Willing Death Valley, people die every day; among them are bad people, evil people, and good people. Why do you specifically want to help him? If you are so compassionate, why not save everyone?"

Zhao Ranran was momentarily speechless. Su Sushu teased with a laugh, "Could it be that you have other feelings?"

Suddenly, a hearty laugh was heard. Taisu Chunfeng and Su Tiexin walked into the courtyard. It turns out Taisu Chunfeng was about to leave, and although Su Tiexin did not ask him to stay, he was quite reluctant, so he invited him to drink in the courtyard. Su Sushu knew in advance that both were present, so she deliberately asked this question to probe Taisu Chunfeng. Taisu Chunfeng, confident and open, would not resort to underhanded actions, hence laughed heartily to attract attention.

Su Tiexin rebuked, "Sushu, what nonsense are you talking about?" secretly observing Taisu Chunfeng.

Taisu Chunfeng said cheerfully, "Little sister Sushu, you’re deliberately teasing me. Although Ran and I are the Golden Boy and Jade Girl, we haven’t developed feelings yet. Those four words ’other feelings’ are not quite appropriate." Su Sushu had a playful expression with an innocent look.

Zhao Ranran cupped her hands toward them and said calmly, "Greetings, Brother Ji, Brother Su." She then said to Su Sushu, "If I could save all the good people in the world, bringing great harmony and reappearing times of prosperity, it would naturally be excellent. But Ranran knows her abilities are limited and cannot be so selfless. Hence, I first save the person I wish to save." Su Sushu’s expression became solemn, saying, "Sorry, I misspoke."

Su Tiexin said, "Helping Ashamed Sword escape Willing Death Valley is originally not difficult. Willing Death Valley, Willing Death Valley... though it is a voluntary place, not all who come are for money. There are powerful martial artists and wanderers from afar who enter for various reasons. Those types seek to fulfill their wishes. Before entering, they are arranged to write down a wish. Someone will consider the value of the wish and decide how many matches must be won. Only then can someone above help fulfill the wish. But once in Willing Death Valley, one cannot easily repent; they need to gather enough silver to purchase a Reversal Order, which is usually very expensive. Often, someone enters with great wishes but after experiencing several trials, merely seeks survival. Or they are deemed worthy by their families, who then extend credit to leave Willing Death Valley, or they gather enough silver to buy a Reversal Order and escape."

"Debt slaves like them, whose debts aren’t cleared, naturally need to fulfill their debts first and therefore don’t need to write a wish. Each match is worth three hundred taels of silver; once paid off, they can leave. Though the waters of Willing Death Valley run deep, they won’t target a minor person like him. If you want to leave early and avoid the dangers of life and death, you just need someone reputable to vouch for you. Even while being in debt, you can enjoy freedom. Then, through the Su Family’s operations, spending some money to help him is not difficult."

Immediately deciding to help, Zhao Ranran felt this move had the meaning of ’borrowing a flower to offer to Buddha,’ but she traveled light and didn’t bring much money. She could only borrow the Su Family’s help, promising that she would repay this favor if given the opportunity in the future.

Su Tiexin held an important position in the city and had considerable connections and skills. He mainly took action to manage and expedite relationships. Su Sushu and Zhao Ranran were quite curious, inexplicably wanting to meet this person, and thus first stepped into Willing Death Valley.

Led by constables, they arrived beside Li Xian’s cell.

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