Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Li Xian never expected that after shaking off his pursuers with difficulty, he would run into them again. Fortunately, he was in a secluded location, his face covered in grime, his appearance slightly altered, with disheveled hair and a dirty face, making it difficult to be recognized at a glance.

Li Xian caught sight of Zhao Ranran, seeing her aloof demeanor and extreme disdain for the place. He cursed under his breath, "This damned woman, such a lingering ghost!"

...

...

That day, many boats capsized.

Once, Li Xian single-handedly eradicated a water bandit lair and came across a copy of the "Fish Herding Book," learning that the bandits had bred numerous "Goldmouth Fish," which could be summoned with a simple wooden flute to gnaw through the hulls of ships.

With this method, passing ships were never spared. Even if there were Second Realm Martial Artists onboard, they would be captured alive, left helpless. Li Xian had expected Zhao Ranran and others to pursue him fiercely over the past few days.

Li Xian’s dark boat, though stable, was rather slow. Even with the Sinking River Sword vigorously paddling, it could hardly resist the encirclement from the sky and land. Until he fully escaped, he would have no restful sleep.

Remembering the "Golden Water Nook" and the "Fish Herding Book," as well as a Water Travel Map, he steered towards the waters near the Golden Water Nook, chopping wood to make a flute along the way, attempting to herd the fish.

Goldmouth Fish usually reside in the lake, scattered around. After several attempts, Li Xian indeed managed to gather the fish. Seeing the tactic feasible, he knew it was a ruthless plan that might cause severe casualties. Hence, he prioritized fleeing quietly and far away, if possible, yet did not dread employing the harsh strategy if forced by circumstances.

Unexpectedly, the pursuers arrived. Li Xian shouted a warning, but the pursuers merely scoffed at his filthy appearance, disregarding his words entirely. Li Xian thought, "Since they insist on pursuing, life and death are up to fate; it’s none of my business."

The Goldmouth Fish gnawed through the ship’s bottom, causing all the heroes to sink into the lake. The fish’s mouths were exceedingly sharp, and since these Goldmouth Fish were not raised by him, Li Xian couldn’t control them as he wished. Suddenly, the fish unleashed a wild fury, gnawing through ships, tearing meat, and sucking blood. Having been inactive for long, after devouring the ships, they wildly bit and tore the Jianghu heroes, injuring them with skin and flesh.

In an instant, the lake was filled with heart-wrenching screams, a scene of utter despair. Among the Jianghu guests, most were just ordinary clay embryos, with a few being First or Second Realm Martial Artists. First Realm Martial Artists could still protect themselves, but the ordinary clay embryos and Second Realm Martial Artists were all sunk into the water.

Zhao Ranran’s methods were unpredictable, using her longsword to lift and fling the fallen martial artists into the air. She moved nimbly, and shadow after shadow soared skyward. Su Lanfeng, holding a folding fan, remained suspended in mid-air, waving it back and forth.

The martial arts evolved, forming a concentrated gale in the air. It caught the Jianghu guests Zhao Ranran had flung up, spinning them around, preventing them from falling back into the water. Because of the sudden incident, many fell into the water. Nangong Wuyang, Nangong Xuanming, Bian Chengfeng, Bian Qiaoqiao, and others employed their methods, striving to rescue them.

Although Bian Qiaoqiao was a Second Realm Martial Artist, her lightweight skill was exceptional, sufficient for self-preservation and rescuing others. But the longer it lasted, the more strenuous it became. The precarious situation in the lake was unfavorable to her.

Su Lanfeng scanned his surroundings, spotting an island in the distance. With another fan wave, he whipped up violent gusts, demonstrating impressive martial prowess. Nangong Xuanming and others, witnessing his abilities, were secretly amazed and respectfully admired him. The concentrated gusts landed everyone on the island. Repeatedly, dozens escaped the jaws of death and managed to flee.

Once gathered on the island, they tallied the casualties. Eight had drowned, while the rest were injured. The lighter injuries bore torn skin and flesh, blood flowing profusely. Severer injuries included broken limbs, exposed bones, and faces gnawed to the extreme, indescribably tragic.

Seeing the wrecked fishing boats, Zhao Ranran realized further pursuit was impossible. Observing the mess and incessant cries of pain, she felt deeply frustrated, frowning as she gazed into the distance. After a moment’s wait, the Goldmouth Fish dispersed, and the lake surface returned to tranquility.

Zhao Ranran, Bian Qiaoqiao, and others entered the lake to fetch water. Zhao Ranran employed the "Pure Absolute Swordsmanship," known for its effect of purging the murky and restoring clarity. The lake is naturally turbid, mixed with blood, mud, fishy scent, and floating wooden chips. She executed her swordsmanship, evolving her martial arts, extracting the purest and cleanest lake water to cleanse and bandage the injuries of the Jianghu guests.

Once everything was settled, and the injuries stabilized, it was already late into the night. Nangong Wuyang, gazing at the pitch-black waters, sighed, "It seems that flower thief truly got away."

Zhao Ranran hesitated to speak; though extremely unwilling, the fact was undeniable. Around midnight, the wounded gradually stabilized, falling into a deep sleep. Zhao Ranran had a bamboo flute hanging from her waist. She sat at the end of the bamboo, playing the flute under the moonlight. The sound lingered, delivering the "Song of Longing" by "Xiaoxiangzi." The melody was winding and sorrowful, expressing the pain of longing.

Although she was skilled in music, she did not experience the pain of longing. Learning it only felt pleasing and melodious, alleviating her inner troubles. Being trapped in the vast lake, she was temporarily unable to escape, thus playing the flute to pass the time. The tune accompanied her sleep, and the sky quickly brightened.

Bian Qiaoqiao tended to the wounded on the island. Meanwhile, the talented ones constructed rafts, venturing out to find fishing boats. By noon, Nangong Wuyang and the others returned empty-handed, while Zhao Ranran sailed back on a bandit boat.

Fortunes favored Zhao Ranran greatly; she was blessed and protected by the heavens, smooth in all her endeavors. Together with the miraculous clothing enhancing her grace and beauty, she caught eyes in the lake, appearing as an ethereal fairy. The water bandits admired her from afar, sailing their boats nearer with intentions of taking her to their lair. However, they were cast into the lake instead, and the bandit boat was captured.

The wounded all boarded the boat; Zhao Ranran let the water bandits familiar with the local waterways steer, quickly returning to the shore to find a town to settle the injured. Those bandits knew only "Swallowing Water City," having long resided in Dongran Lake, thus they sailed towards "Swallowing Water City," docking at Swallowing Water Alley in a matter of days.

Strangely, whether due to deep fate or the heavens’ favor to Zhao Ranran, she found herself unknowingly residing in the same city as Li Xian. She was unware, nor could she anticipate such a coincidence.