Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Chapter 667: Chapter 355: Liuli Provokes, Arrogance Curbed, Standing Alone at the Cauldron, Meticulous Calculations

Nangong Liuli couldn’t see Li Xian, but with her feet and hands restrained in three places, she had to maintain balance by standing on one foot, making it difficult to execute even a thousand moves and leaving her utterly defeated and desperate. The humiliation of defeat was indescribable. She bit her lip in silence, her face flushed red.

After a long pause, Nangong Liuli said, "Kill or torture, do as you will. Hmph, you’re strong and tall, full of energy and strength. How can I, a weak woman, defeat you? You gained an advantage by sheer luck, so don’t get complacent; it amounts to nothing. There still needs to be a true battle with real swords and spears!"

Li Xian smiled and said, "By that account, Sister Liuli knew from the start that I would win. So why did you provoke and curse me in all sorts of ways earlier? Could it be you wanted me to be fiercer?"

Nangong Liuli’s face was as red as dripping blood, her hidden thoughts revealed, she defended, "Little thief, don’t speak nonsense. I fell for your tricks and allowed you to win. If we fight again, I will surely defeat you. I, the rightful daughter of the Nangong Family..." Her embarrassment was evident.

Li Xian said, "Alright, the dignified daughter of the Nangong Family, being captured by this Flower Thief. I must take good care of you then."

Nangong Liuli said coquettishly, "It’s uncertain who will take care of whom. Release me first, and I’ll show you my strength." But she received no response, only feeling a chill on her back, sensing something ominous, she thought to herself, "Oh no, this thief is incredibly bold. Although he’s not a real Flower Thief, he’s learned some ways from observing them closely. Oh... this is really bad." Unable to retract her Scorpion Hook, the many Martial Arts passed down by the Nangong Family were of no use.

...

...

It was early March. The Water Altar Island celebrated a festival called "Gathering Day" because the Water Altar was located deep within a lake, cut off from the world. After enduring the harsh winter, resources were scarce.

Liquor, meat, clothing, fabric, salt, oil, and rice... Ordinary disciples of the Flower Cage Sect seized the opportunity to board the elder’s flower boat, go out to purchase supplies, tools, pots, bowls, clothes, and daily necessities, and bring them back to the island for sale at various towns and markets.

They could be exchanged for flower dew, money, and so forth, earning money to enjoy life freely. That day, the marketplace was bustling, townspeople brought their elderly and young family members, shopping for essential items. With extra money, they would buy some strange things from the outside world for entertainment.

Cyan Ox Street was spacious with stalls set up by disciples, small stalls next to the Cyan Ox Residence’s wall where they laid red cloth on the ground, displaying porcelain bowls, porcelain basins, embroidered shoes, copper hairpins, and other things.

A man and woman strolled by, seemingly a couple. The woman took a liking to the embroidered shoes, immediately wore them to try. They were slightly big, but she could barely wear them. Seeing that she really liked them, the man generously bought them. He also purchased a copper hairpin and gave it to her.

The couple left hand in hand, full of affection. The disciple shouted to sell more, soon more customers arrived. Cyan Ox Street was lively and bustling, with pedestrians unaware that the Cyan Ox Residence’s high red walls, though just a wall away, were as lively as the street, ingeniously arranged to shield distractions.

By evening, the excitement had passed. The small stall by the Cyan Ox Residence wall was bought out, the disciple stretched his muscles, producing a "pop" sound. He suddenly noticed a row of birds perched on the wall.

He muttered, "These annoying birds are so noisy, and love to watch excitement, truly bothersome. Last time I fought someone in the street, wrestling and grappling, these birds wouldn’t stop chirping, as if mocking. Now they’re standing in a row, could there be another fight?"

He didn’t think much further, adjusted his brocade bag containing several taels of silver, enough to frolic joyfully for days. Truly, "Spend today’s money today, worry about tomorrow’s troubles tomorrow."

Meanwhile on the Cyan Ox Residence wall, more and more noisy birds gathered. As night deepened, they gradually flapped away. Li Xian, feeling refreshed, vented his anger, said, "Sister Liuli, what do you say?"

Nangong Liuli bit her lip tightly, her face red, although stubborn and defiant, she was convinced in defeat, she grudgingly said, "I admit... admit you’re formidable." Turning her head away. After a long pause, she thought, "I’m few years older than him, back in the family, I could make such a brat unable to lift his head. But now... now I can’t beat him, can’t compete with him, can’t endure him. I’ve really lost face as ’older sister.’ Even if he’s skilled, I can’t let him get arrogant."

So she said again out of spite, "But you’re just taking advantage of the fact that I can’t see you, doing these sneaky moves behind my back." Saying this, she realized it was quite disgraceful, undermining herself while boosting the enemy’s prestige.

...

...

Peach Blossom Day was slow, leisurely living.

Li Xian acquired a residence, accumulated several hundred taels of wealth, traveled by carriage, had beauties at home. Practiced martial arts and sparred with Nangong Liuli during the day, discussing martial arts understanding and worldly matters. Riding the carriage out of town, tending the bee farm and orchard...

At night, they shared the same bed, resting peacefully. When in leisure, they would take the carriage around the island, admiring the lake and island scenery, contemplating the myriad forms of the mundane world. The sky was as blue as washed, the lake surface mysteriously hazy. In the distance, green mountains, strange trees, and unusual scenes appeared.

There were giant fish and giant turtles in the lake, surfacing briefly before disappearing. The world is vast, infinitely beautiful. Li Xian sighed, "Such a grand world is worth a lifetime of exploration, pursuing martial arts while seeking worldly wisdom, experiencing every worldly flower, surpassing worldly power."

The mind became natural, martial arts progressed further.

Sometimes he would drink and celebrate with Yan Hao, discussing the Five Element Escape and miscellaneous studies.

[Five Element Escape]

[Skill Level: 74/100]

[Skill Level + 1]

Li Xian was greatly influenced by Wen Caishang, desiring all paths to connect, to be well versed and widely informed. But aware that it requires time and accumulation, not a day’s work. Blindly coveting would lead to self-deception. Therefore, he prioritized clearly, Martial Arts first, other paths second. The primary path progressed steadily, seeking in stability. The secondary path depending on timing and circumstances, if opportunity arises, he would find ways to achieve. Yet must balance and determine what to let go appropriately.