Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Li Xian took the IOU, cupped his hands, and said freely, "No matter what, Sister Qing, thank you for what you said today! Even though the road ahead is rough and my fate is twisted, regardless of the outcome, I will walk until the end."

Qingyao thought, "This young man has such a character, such demeanor. If he hadn’t encountered this incident, if he hadn’t met the Commandery Princess, he would have surely achieved something." She sighed deeply, hesitating to speak.

She said, "Follow me."

With a graceful walk, she passed through a long corridor and arrived by a riverbank. It was a long, desolate night, with dim moonlight. Qingyao pointed to the riverhead and said, "In half an hour, a prison ship will arrive. Once you board the ship, you’ll have to rely on your luck."

Qingyao said, "Don’t think about running away. The Commandery Princess has already issued an order. If you run now, you’ll be captured on the spot and subjected to severe punishment."

After saying this, she stood quietly. Li Xian looked around and saw the exquisite layout, Qingyao’s immeasurable strength, and Huang Su, Hong Luo... among others watching covertly. The Commandery Princess An Yang held great power and had many skilled experts at her command. Escape was nearly impossible.

He composed himself, picked up a stone from the ground, and skipped it across the river, passing the time idly. After roughly half an hour, a pitch-black prison ship slowly approached, with an old man sitting at the bow, steering the ship quickly.

Qingyao whispered in the old man’s ear, explaining the situation. The old man nodded, and suddenly leapt, placing a jade bracelet around Li Xian’s left wrist. It was inscribed with the words: fourteen thousand taels.

The old man was highly skilled in restrictive techniques, and using two fingers, he tapped various points on Li Xian’s shoulders, back, and elsewhere. Qingyao said, "This is the Jade City’s Eighteen Strikes, each strike enriched with its unique martial arts. Jade City specializes in acupuncture points and martial restraint. These Eighteen Strikes can make one’s martial arts and magic dao chaotic, difficult to perform, and can even dislocate one’s bones, causing unbearable pain. I see you are sensible enough, so I asked the boatman not to give you a hard time. But once on the ship, you’d better behave, otherwise, the boatman will teach you a lesson, and you’ll suffer for it. This boatman is no weakling, known as the ’Ferry Man.’ If you’re lucky, you might secure a minor job and manage to survive well for at least six months."

Qingyao watched as Li Xian boarded the ship and then watched the ship sail away.

Qingyao was from a poor family and attained her current status by coincidence and chance. Hence, she felt quite sympathetic towards Li Xian. Seeing such a promising young man being sent to that Jade City... Jade City was extremely prosperous, yet more of a malevolent city.

Draining bones dry, devouring completely.

The place was still quite a distance from Jade City.

The prison ship was forged from dark iron, resistant to fire, water, and blades. Within, it contained various-sized cells. Li Xian was placed in a narrow cell, shackled with irons on both his feet and hands. He tried to break free, finding them extremely sturdy, and they clanged loudly.

Li Xian thought to himself, "I am afflicted with the Jade City’s Eighteen Strikes, making my martial arts and magic dao chaotic. It seems Commandery Princess An Yang’s arrangements are meticulous, leaving no room for exploitation. Now that I’m on this prison ship, unless something unexpected happens, I’ll surely reach Jade City. So be it. Though this situation isn’t good, there is still potential to be found. Only... this trial must be extremely difficult. Entering Jade City, I will surely face tests of vision, opportunity, choice..."

Looking through the prison window, Li Xian saw the ship’s body gently swaying on the vast river, not knowing where it led, with a future both bleak and perilous. He calmed himself, reflecting on many past experiences, often feeling beyond his control. Yet he didn’t resent this, firmly believing that only strength can break through everything.

"I arose from the mountain’s wilderness as a Hunter, danger often accompanied fortune. Although forced this time, I originally intended to go to Jade City for training. It’s somewhat in line with fate."

He laughed freely to himself.

The prison cell was unbearable, filled with filth. The bed was stained with yellow dirtiness, likely from a Martial Artist captured by Jade City, held here, left regretting and scared, soiling himself. Thus contaminating the place.

He expelled a breath of fresh air to rid the filth. Li Xian sat cross-legged, quietly organizing his situation after all he experienced recently, pondering future decisions. Knowing himself to be without power or influence, it was extremely difficult to go against the current, but better to ride it. Li Xian thought, "The path to becoming the Silver-masked Son is undoubtedly arduous. Starting as a Debt Slave, owing fourteen thousand taels. Only after repaying this silver can I barely be considered a commoner. And as a commoner... the distance to becoming the Silver-masked Son is surely vast. Commandery Princess An Yang wields considerable power in Jade City, with countless undercover agents over the years. Beyond Jade City lies the Wolf Head Army... numerous personal guards, and experts like Qingyao."

"In the short term, it’s unwise to publicly go against her. She may not even notice me yet. But if she does, I can only pretend to comply, gradually seeking resolution. Fortunately, I have some advantage. The Ghost Doctor’s medical skills... will be my greatest reliance!"

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help cursing Zhao Ranran. Li Xian leaned against the cell, his predicament indeed alarming, but with an easygoing and optimistic attitude, having cast aside his worries. Instead, he grew curious about the prosperity of Jade City.

Suddenly, a voice called out from nearby, "Kid, you’re quite intriguing."

A thick alcoholic scent wafted over. Li Xian turned his head and saw, in the deepest part of the left cell, a ragged old man lying there. His hair was gray, with a ruddy nose, hunchbacked and crippled. He lay sideways on the bed, holding a red wine gourd in one hand.

He took a fierce swig, belching loudly, patting his belly, and said with a grin, "Aren’t you afraid?" He then scratched his rear, scrubbed his armpit, and flicked some black pellets over.

Li Xian laughed, "I see you, senior, are much more at ease, as if on a leisurely trip."

The old drunkard sat up straight and said, "Hey, you’ve hit the mark. Isn’t life itself just a leisurely trip?"

Li Xian nodded, "Indeed, I share the same sentiment." The old drunk whispered applause, "I must say, kid, you have something of my style in you."

"Well then, it seems we are kindred spirits. If you help me pay off this debt, I’ll teach you a unique martial art, how about it?"

Li Xian questioned, "A unique martial art? What kind of martial art?" The old drunkard chuckled, "Heh heh, this martial art is called ’The Drunken Carefree Walk!’ Once you’ve mastered it, there’s no place you cannot go, no matter how vast the world."