Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

The person-in-charge of the Willing Death Valley is named "Peng Wei," who is in his mid-years, short in stature with thick hands and thin legs. His eyes are long, his face narrow, with a nose like a peak, and a slightly prominent forehead. His looks are neither ugly nor handsome, but he always greets others with a smile.

When Li Xian was freed from the status of a debt slave and had repaid his debt, he was invited by "Peng Wei" to a wooden house for a detailed discussion. Peng Wei provided a piece of parchment, made from exotic beast skin. Once written on, it could not be changed.

Peng Wei said, "Ashamed brother, no... now I should call you Brother Li. I have witnessed your abilities. Although I might have greater cultivation and martial arts compared to you, within the Willing Death Valley, I would never be as fierce as you. Winning three hundred matches in a short period shows that you were born for this valley. Your techniques, martial arts, awareness, and experience can truly shine here. Now that your debt is cleared, although you can return to freedom, there are still two paths before you that need careful consideration."

"Write down your heart’s vision, and then continue the deadly fight. When you have enough matches, and achieve your great vision, you can reach the pinnacle—whether it’s wealth of a myriad taels, rare treasures, lifesaving, assistance, rank advancement... You have already won three hundred matches, the Willing Death Valley should be as easy as water to fish for you. This path... should be your correct path! In the future, standing equal with me is not impossible!"

His expression was excited, his tone stirring, sincerely like he was thinking for Li Xian. Then he sighed as if feeling regret: "Or you could sound the drum and stop, and retire quietly. The ’Ashamed Sword’ famed in the Willing Death Valley would then disappear, losing the spirit of courage and the heart of progress, willingly becoming mediocre, with no road ahead."

Li Xian sneered inwardly, "It sounds good, wanting me to write my vision for you to assess, then forcing me to win a thousand, ten thousand matches... making me fight for ten, dozens of years, and then what? You hold the power and sway, deceiving and harming others as easy as can be. Moreover... even if your Willing Death Valley could truly realize wishes, I’m not trading my life for it. For now... drinking freely, sleeping soundly, playing leisurely, that’s my desire."

His mind was clear: "Moreover, my vision can be fought and obtained by myself. Although deadly fights are simple and brutal, I have grown weary and no longer want to engage in endless combats."

He immediately refused politely. Peng Wei felt regret but did not force him to stay. He sent constables to settle the remaining silver, escorting Li Xian out of the valley. Li Xian’s victories, thirty-two twenty-four matches, with scattered rewards of golden leaves and silver... were enough to clear his debt and interest, leaving him with forty taels of silver.

The black gates opened wide.

The noontime sun shone directly as Li Xian walked out of the "Willing Death Valley," the natural fragrance of the surroundings greeted him. He saw vibrant flowers and grass, strong trees, birds and beasts playing, and dew clinging like pearls. This coming and going felt like a rebirth from another world, evoking endless emotion.

His eyes were determined, his long hair held by a wooden crown. Strands of hair fell at his temples, the "Ashamed Sword" mask still worn on his face. Having gone through this ordeal, Li Xian was surely different now.

Counting the years...

In Great Yu, men reach adulthood at eighteen. When Li Xian was nearly eighteen, though not quite, he was crowned and told by Wen Caishang that he had come of age and could start a family. In the Great Wu Dynasty, twenty is often the age of adulthood, with some families at twenty-five, as the long lifespan of martial artists naturally delayed the coming of age.

Li Xian had experienced many dangers. This trip to the "Willing Death Valley" could truly be considered a "come of age ceremony," enduring the brutal killings, the cage fights, and the confrontation of many foes. The temperament between his brows gradually changed, with his determination and ambition undiminished, but deeper, decisive in killing.

Li Xian pondered, "Three hundred matches of bloody combat, and they couldn’t kill me. The Willing Death Valley is for those willing to die. As I exit like this, although still alone, it’s as if I’ve been forged by fierce flames. My combat experience, enemy assessment, timing control, martial arts application... have greatly improved, yielding bountiful gains. All these are the keys to defeating the strong with the weak and subduing the weak with strength. In these few months, my martial arts have not advanced a bit, but if I fought myself from three months ago, three-month-ago me would seem as naive as a child."

Quickly departing Willing Death Valley.

The forest path was serene, overgrown with weeds. In the distance, there was a "Jade Path," a long road paved with jade. Traveling on it was like riding the wind and waves, very swift. But only those with "status" and "face" were qualified to tread it.

Li Xian had removed the "cage bracelet," now a "Jade City’s commoner." His status was low, but he could walk uninhibitedly. Along the way, he encountered several patrol soldiers, who only asked routine questions, with an unfriendly tone, yet did not obstruct him.

The wild vegetation path had a unique taste, chopping vines, cutting weeds.

Li Xian relieved of his burdens, rested a little, his heart lightened, the scenery before him vibrant and appealing. As he walked and watched, he found the Jade City’s landscape dazzling, rolling mountains all around. He indulged in nature’s singular beauty.

He couldn’t help but express his sentiments: "The scenery of nature is truly the reflection of the heart. The scenery has never changed, but seeing it differently due to one’s mood. I find the scenery and everything beautiful because my mood is beautiful."

Li Xian saw a stream and found his water bag empty, filled it up, and drank a mouthful, the coolness flowing into his stomach, then followed the creek.

Unknowingly, he had returned to the vicinity of "Jade Pillar Mountain," suddenly meeting "Zhang Cun," "Yue Fanluo," "Wang Shan," and "Liang Huohuo." As it was evening by then, Zhang Cun and others had just exited the mining veins to fetch water from the nearby creek.

Li Xian removed his mask and waved a greeting. Zhang Cun and others returned his smile with puzzlement, not daring to approach. Li Xian was momentarily startled, then realized the situation, walked up to Zhang Cun, rubbed his hands in ash, and smeared it on his face.

Only then did Zhang Cun recognize him, exclaiming in surprise, "Ah! Li... Brother Li, you’re not dead?" Yue Fanluo, Wang Shan, Liang Huohuo, and others gathered around curiously, full of wonder.