Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 230 - 222: Capturing the Witch, Situation Spiraling Out of Control

Chapter 230: Chapter 222: Capturing the Witch, Situation Spiraling Out of Control

In front of the inn, dozens of corpses lay scattered.

Wen Caishang’s beautiful eyes were warm and gentle, hiding joy mixed with consolation. Just now, she had been surrounded and attacked. She could have easily broken the formation, but suddenly thought: "Li Xian is sharp and aware, he will quickly notice something unusual here. Now that I’m seriously injured, there’s much inconvenience—my body feels light and weak. I need him to take care of me along the way. If he is disloyal and harbors ulterior motives, it would be a huge trouble."

So she pretended to be unable to withstand and tested Li Xian’s reaction. Sure enough, she saw Li Xian coming to her aid. While entangled with Xi Dajian, Wen Caishang felt secretly delighted, quite moved, and even a bit sweet, then she broke the formation by striking out, severing Xi Dajian with her sword.

When the dust settled, Li Xian asked, "Madam, are you healed?"

"This matter cannot be mentioned." Wen Caishang shook her head, lowered her voice, and said, "These scoundrels forced me to use Inner Qi again. My injuries are in disorder, faintly worsening. But dealing with them has been extremely easy."

As they traveled, she felt increasingly uneasy.

Li Xian said gravely, "This place is not suitable for a long stay; it’s best to leave quickly!"

Wen Caishang nodded. At this moment, they suddenly heard a loud shout, saying, "Who is causing trouble here?"

Then they saw dozens of constables surrounding them layer by layer. The leader was quite young, with a tall stature, known as "Martial Officer" here, named Zhang Biao.

Zhang Biao remained calm and composed. Seeing the ground covered in blood, his expression grew solemn. Then he saw a skeleton lying on the ground, bright and smooth, still steaming, like a finely crafted artifact.

Suddenly revealing a look of terror, he hurriedly stepped back a few paces. He had already realized that the struggle here was beyond what he could dominate.

Wen Caishang said, "Stop." Her voice was gentle and soft.

Zhang Biao shivered in fright, saying, "Miss... Miss Hero, I’m just passing by, with absolutely no other intentions."

"Since you’ve come, why hurry to leave? Staying to accompany them, wouldn’t it be even better?" Wen Caishang said gently, "They saw me vulnerable and bullied me, a lonely woman, out of necessity, I struck back. Are you the same as them?"

Zhang Biao fell heavily to his knees with a thud, quickly saying, "Miss Hero, misunderstanding, misunderstanding! We’re here to help you punish the villains. I, Zhang Biao, have always despised those who bully women!"

"Is that so, then thank you for your assistance." Wen Caishang said, "I won’t kill you, but you must protect this skeleton, not allowing anyone to touch it in the slightest. If there’s even a bit of damage, I’ll have to take your life."

Zhang Biao nodded repeatedly, feeling immensely grateful. Wen Caishang said, "Little Immortal, let’s go."

Having gone through this, it was difficult to rest peacefully here anymore. Wen Caishang was forced to continue on the road with injuries. Exiting the city gates, Wen Caishang’s brows furrowed, her Qi-Blood abruptly fell.

Li Xian pondered, "The madam and I are in no different a situation. Those forces want to kill the madam, and they want to kill me too. If the madam is seriously injured, I can’t be completely safe either." He asked with concern, "Madam, are you alright?"

Wen Caishang whispered, "I’m slightly unwell. Hold me around the waist, and let’s move far, save me some energy."

Li Xian wrapped his arm around her waist and walked forward. Although Wen Caishang was seriously injured, feeling the embrace, she was still gently rocked.

Wen Caishang’s injuries were grave, unsuitable for Qi Movement. Yet, the Sword Rain Tower pursued her, and although she could easily kill them using Martial Arts, employing Qi Movement would stir the "Vajra Mantra" within her body.

Her Qi Movement faced obstacles, yet her Inner Qi was astonishing, still able to face adversaries with substantial accumulation. But her body was exhausted; after each battle, it was inevitable that her stamina was difficult to sustain.

Her Qi Amount was plentiful, but once the battle ended, her stamina was quickly depleted, her arms and legs somewhat weak. It was entirely because when Wen Caishang fought Xi Dajian, the Martial Arts she employed were extremely fierce.

Named "Abi Extreme Sword"

In the blink of an eye, she executed over hundreds of swords. The intertwined sword lights were difficult for the naked eye to discern. Wen Caishang intended to intimidate future arrivals, employing a decisive strike to avoid repeated offenses.

She was aware that using this sword would significantly deplete her strength but still struck fiercely. In just a few breaths, she executed three thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight swords, slicing Xi Dajian with over three thousand swords, skinning his flesh and extracting his organs...

When the moves ended, Xi Dajian surprisingly survived for a breath more.

Using a bull knife to kill a chicken.

As a result, Wen Caishang was exhausted and needed Li Xian’s support. Wen Caishang said, "Such small-time scoundrels, seeing this situation, surely won’t dare to pursue us."

Li Xian said, "Let’s hope so." Wen Caishang chided, "You were so clumsy just now, causing more trouble. Without you, it would have been easier for me to kill them."

Li Xian, seeing Wen Caishang’s alluring countenance and indescribable charm, sighed lightly, "The madam has always been like this, not a single truthful word." He said, "I’m truly sorry, I... I thought the madam might not be able to withstand them."

Wen Caishang said, "You underestimate me."

Li Xian said, "Madam, how should we treat these injuries for the better? The journey ahead is long, and many formidable opponents... there’s bound to be danger."

Wen Caishang frowned, saying, "These injuries are not easily resolved; they need to be untangled, aided by medicine, and slowly dissolved. We should find another place, a peaceful spot for rest and recuperation."

She constantly faced enemy attacks, with misfortune entwining her. The injury from a lightning strike was severe, yet with calm recovery and cultivation, it could heal. The Vajra Palm, though fierce, if its force is dissipated, can be slowly recuperated. Although the Vajra Mantra is formidable, by taking medicine gradually, the damage to her foundation can be alleviated.

But she was interrupted again. The Martial Artist’s body is trained to be akin to heaven and earth. In Wen Caishang’s world, it was as if fierce thunder and storms were wreaking havoc, yet her foundation was deep, allowing her to remain composed.

After several hours out of the city, Wen Caishang thought, "Even though my injury worsens, those small-time scoundrels, despite their number, still can’t harm me for long. But it’s quite troublesome."

After walking for two hours, the surroundings became secluded. Wen Caishang felt somewhat weary, sitting cross-legged to rest. She exhaled gently, engaging in Inner Cultivation to adjust her breathing.

After half a day of rest, she no longer needed to be held by the waist. Wen Caishang walked slowly, her demeanor graceful, stately, and elegant. Li Xian followed beside her.

Without a carriage, nor horses, Wen Caishang was not suitable for using Lightweight Skill to travel quickly, so they proceeded on foot.

She lamented, "Walking the Jianghu, walking the Jianghu, since I learned martial arts, I’ve seldom ’walked’ in the Jianghu."

Li Xian said, "Previously, carriages and horses always took care of matters."

"Indeed." Wen Caishang nodded, "This matter truly feels unfamiliar."

Li Xian said, "Madam, being of noble descent, it must be quite an inconvenience. Perhaps you should rest and recuperate here, and I’ll go into town to procure a carriage?"

Wen Caishang laughed and said, "No need to rush. Take your time. I can take this opportunity to rest." She observed her inner state and mused:

"If it were a normal injury, I would recover with some rest. But the real challenge is the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Thunder, which is hard to dissipate. It leaves the Brahma Sound within me. But it doesn’t matter... Even in this weakened state, can these petty villains stop me?"

She snorted lightly, feeling a sense of pride as her brow relaxed. She naturally exuded an aura of elegance.

She thought further, "Whether they dare to pursue me is uncertain. If they think they can make me, Wen Caishang, flee in disgrace through such perilous situations, they are surely underestimating me."

...

...

On the other side.

Military Officer Zhang Biao sat upright with a serious expression, guarding beside Xi Dajian’s skeleton. The street was sealed off, and civilians were not allowed to enter or exit.

A day passed.

The following day.

Three people arrived at the scene. Their garments were similar, all hailing from the "Sword Rain Tower."

Sword Rain Tower is a formidable force within West Gate Dao. Wen Caishang had roamed elsewhere in her early years, not in Yu Nan Dao. Otherwise, how could Yu Nan Dao not know of her prestigious reputation?

Sword Rain Tower, Taixin Sect, Shiluo Village...and other forces in the "Sword-Seeking Alliance" all came from afar. Knowing about the "Dragon Appreciation Banquet," they were aware that Wen Caishang would surely make an appearance.

They gathered information step by step, learning the layout of the banquet seats and the personnel arrangements. However, none of the major powers attended the feast, as the banquet primarily consisted of the strong from Longxiong Dao and Yu Nan Dao.

The struggle was complex, involving not just conflicts over Human Yellow and reputation but also the seizing of benefits from all sides. The forces, being outsiders, found partaking in the feast and sharing the benefits improper. Wen Caishang was eloquent, strikingly beautiful, and capable of swaying people’s hearts effortlessly.

In just a few words, she might be able to rally the heroes of the two Dao to strike against the Sword Rain Tower and Taixin Sect...a possibility not to be dismissed. Several sects bore deep resentment against Wen Caishang, having suffered similar grievous losses. Thus, they resorted to killing Wen Caishang without getting involved in the Dragon Appreciation Banquet.

On that day, Xi Dajian discovered traces of Wen Caishang. He commanded his disciples to send carrier pigeons to inform nearby fellow apprentices.

The three individuals were named "Xi Kairen," "Su Qiuyu," and "Qian Jingpeng."

"Fulai Inn?" Xi Kairen said, "The place my brother mentioned is right here. He mentioned in his letter that if we capture the demoness, we should bind her here and await our celebration. If we fail to capture her alive, behead the demoness and wait here."

Su Qiuyu sensed something amiss and said, "Why is this street so empty?"

As the three were conversing, Military Officer Zhang Biao asked, "Who are you three?"

Xi Kairen, Su Qiuyu, and Qian Jingpeng glanced at each other and said, "Travelers of the Jianghu. May we ask if anything has happened at this Fulai Inn recently?"

Zhang Biao replied, "Indeed. Recently, there was a Jianghu skirmish, leaving over thirty people dead."

Xi Kairen, Su Qiuyu, and Qian Jingpeng were stunned and exclaimed, "It must be that demoness!"

Xi Kairen quickly asked, "Any survivors?" Zhang Biao trembled as he replied, "That woman was breathtakingly beautiful, yet ruthless. Survivors? To die swiftly would be a stroke of luck!"

"Scoundrel!" Qian Jingpeng cursed, his voice like a punch, sending Zhang Biao flying and crashing heavily to the ground.

He narrowly clung to life.

"What is this..." Su Qiuyu, seeing the skeleton, was filled with terror and astonishment, "The bone is smooth like jade. This is a Second Realm Martial Artist... Could it be... could it be..."

Xi Kairen, enraged, reached out and pulled Zhang Biao to him, demanding, "Who is this? How did he die?"

"I... I don’t know." Zhang Biao, mouth full of blood, answered fearfully, "I... I heard he was flayed alive. It’s got nothing to do with me; I... I don’t have that capability."

"I’ll split you in half!" Xi Kairen’s hand turned into a blade, and with one slash, Zhang Biao cried out, his head severed, dead.

Su Qiuyu commented, "Terrifying, what a terrifying woman! Such ruthless methods, it must surely be her!"

They examined the skeleton. The bone was crystal clear and white, akin to exquisite porcelain. No trace of flesh remained... Such terrifying swordsmanship was truly shocking.

"Could this truly be... human swordsmanship?" Qian Jingpeng, both frightened and fearful, spoke.

Su Qiuyu said, "That woman meant to intimidate!" Qian Jingpeng asked, "Do we still pursue or not?"

Xi Kairen, having a close relationship with Xi Dajian, was deeply saddened by his tragic death and angrily exclaimed, "Of course, we pursue! I’d risk my life to kill that wicked woman!"

Su Qiuyu said, "A life and death vendetta, how can we retreat? If we don’t pursue, it’s just half a day’s existence. But pursuing recklessly is also sending ourselves to death."

"What do you think?" Xi Kairen asked.

Su Qiuyu pondered for a moment and said, "Though the demoness is indeed powerful, Xi Dajian’s condition is excessively tragic. She must be doing this to intimidate us and make us retreat in fear."

"The more she acts like this, the less we can let her have her way!"

"We should first inform the other four sects with these clues, gather allies, discuss strategies, and even if she is formidable, we can kill her if we have the numbers!"

"Xi Dajian’s body should be buried quickly, covering up his tragic state. Otherwise, it might frighten our allies."

"And we should deliberately release news that she has been injured by us and is only ten percent of her strength, not to be feared, but we should be cautious of her dying counterattack!"

"We will certainly capture the demoness!"