Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 252 - 242: The Beauty Bends to Serve Wine

Early February, heroes gathered at the river.

By late March, escaped a thousand miles from the Red List.

Speaking of Su Qiuyu and the others, they heard clues about Li Xian. When they arrived at Harmony Village, it was already two days later.

Surrounding the earthen house, Li Quan cursed: "Good fellow, we’ve exhausted ourselves searching without any clues, thinking he was the Daluo Immortal, vanished into thin air. Yet, who knew he’d be here peacefully residing with a beauty, even tending to flowers! How infuriating!"

Zhao Zhiyuan said: "A man and a woman, alone in a room, enjoying each other’s company, tsk tsk tsk... it truly arouses envy." His words were cold.

Su Qiuyu suddenly realized: "What a cunning guy, I wondered why he disappeared without a trace. Searching all over with no leads, it turns out he found a quiet place to settle. The further we search, the farther we go, thinking he’s escaping far away, desperately without choice, yet it’s hard to think about a remote little village harboring their traces!"

Zhao Zhiyuan said: "If not for Brother Su’s devious plans, it would’ve been difficult to deal with this fellow." Su Qiuyu said: "I also needed Brother Zhao’s full support." The two exchanged glances, hiding sharpness. The devious plan was effective but quite disgraceful. Both wished to disassociate but exchanged jabs in their speech.

Moments of silence.

Li Quan kicked open the wooden door, venting in the courtyard, destroying flowers.

Li Quan suddenly exclaimed in terror: "Quick... quick, come and see. She... she..." pointing at the yellow clay wall, terrified, legs trembling.

"The life of a dog is spared, will be taken later," the eight characters caught the eye. Li Quan and Zhao Zhiyuan paled instantly. Su Qiuyu’s eyes filled with blood, the rims moist, nostrils slightly flared... in a moment of helpless daze.

"No, this isn’t right..." Su Qiuyu said: "No, this isn’t right... look at these sword marks, they’re very light. Wen Caishang might not have fully recovered. If she had, she wouldn’t have left, knowing her nature, she would’ve waited for us to come!"

Li Quan said: "Ha, Su Qiuyu... even if that woman hasn’t fully recovered, killing you and me would be easy." Su Qiuyu angrily said: "You cur, boosting the enemy’s strength, lowering your own morale. If this were a battlefield, I’d surely take your head!"

"Hahaha."

Suddenly, there was loud laughter.

Someone said out loud: "Su Qiuyu of Sword Rain Tower with the Seven-orifice Sword Heart, Li Quan the common dog of Taixin Sect, why the fierce quarrel, exposing each other’s shortcomings? Interesting, interesting, can you tell me?"

The Sword-Seeking Alliance consisted of five major factions: Yellow Sand, Taixin, Sword Rain, Shi Luo, Wuji Saber... although allied, the factions and sects were quite distant. They rarely interacted, seldom met.

At the village entrance, the Wuji Saber Sect approached with a group of swordsmen. Leading them was someone young in appearance, short but muscular.

Named "Qi Beidao."

At this moment, an earthquake was felt. Everyone turned their eyes to see a vast water field with splashing water, rice plants bending... a line of people hopping in unison. Each jump was about half a zhang high, extremely fast, the places they reached were filled with eerie Yin Qi.

Before long, they arrived in front of the earthen house. They were actually "zombies," about dozens, cold and numb, exuding a deep chill. The zombies carried two coffins on their shoulders.

One of them slowly opened, a person emerged lazily saying: "Great, great, everyone is here! Gentlemen, it’s been a while!"

This person was Shen Pingping from Shiluo Village. The core fighters of the Sword-Seeking Alliance had all gathered here.

Su Qiuyu cupped his hands and said: "Brother Shen, Brother Qi, long time no see!" Xi Kairen, Qian Jinghao, Zhao Zhiyuan, Li Quan... all greeted accordingly.

Qi Beidao asked: "Brother Li, where are your three brothers? It’s known that the Taixin Four Heroes are inseparable. Why haven’t they appeared?"

Li Quan looked awkward. Su Qiuyu and Li Quan were at odds, but seeing Wen Caishang seemed to be recovering, hoped to use Li Quan, so he proactively changed the topic.

After chatting for a while, they all entered the earthen house. Seeing the sword marks on the clay wall, Qi Beidao curiously said: "These sword marks are trivial and lack Sword Qi. Why are the two of you arguing over them?"

Li Quan said: "You haven’t crossed swords with her, so you don’t know the situation..." Su Qiuyu interrupted: "Actually, speaking of it, it’s not about the sword marks. It’s because... alas... Su used to be arrogant, looked down on Brother Li, and had many conflicts, leading to accumulated resentment."

"Now I’ve realized the error of my ways, knowing it was wrong, and ask Brother Li to forgive this humble one’s past offenses. Su... apologizes here!"

Li Quan was surprised. Seeing Su Qiuyu sincerely showing weakness, which was not easy. Also noticing that all the strong fighters of the Sword-Seeking Alliance were present, he felt he needed to demonstrate magnanimity, so he asked: "Are you sincere?"

Su Qiuyu nodded: "I couldn’t be more sincere!"

Li Quan said: "Alright, let’s move past the past. Let’s discuss how to capture Li Xian and Wen Caishang!"

Su Qiuyu’s thoughts shifted. His sudden apology aimed to use Li Quan as one, and change the topic as another. Li Quan was simple-minded, about to openly express his thoughts on Wen Caishang’s terror and danger. If Qi Beidao and Shen Pingping found out, they’d surely make calculations. If they knew that Sword Rain Tower, Yellow Sand Sect, and Taixin Sect lost so much with no gains, they might hesitate and even withdraw midway.

Li Quan entered the house, seeing living traces in the room and kitchen. The bed still had lingering hair fragrance, involuntarily sniffed, eyes wandering. He was envious and jealous.

Why does Wen Caishang favor that fellow so much?

...

...

Speaking of another side.

The "Hu" in Weihu River refers to a spectacle: Tiger Jump River.

Every April, tigers gather by the riverbank, jumping into the river with a grand momentum. The reason is unknown.

It was already evening, Li Xian and Wen Caishang walked along the path, nearing the river. They reckoned that after crossing this place, the Sword-Seeking Alliance would find it hard to catch up.

Li Xian said, "Madam, did you know? Beyond Wei Hu River, there lies Tiger Cry Ridge. It is a sinister place."

Wen Caishang playfully retorted, "You just learned a little and already want to show off to me. You..." She said softly, "Well, tell me about it."

During their conversation, they suddenly heard a strange noise ahead. There were faint tiger roars, elephant trumpets, and human shouts. Li Xian thought, "In strange places, one must be more vigilant." He listened intently, using his "Ears Listening in All Directions" skill. He discerned that the strange sounds came from not far within the forest.

Li Xian whispered, "Let’s look from a distance to see if there’s anything peculiar." Wen Caishang nodded. Li Xian utilized his Lightweight Skill, channeling Inner Qi into Wen Caishang’s body, making them move with great swiftness and lightness. Before long, they arrived at the source of the strange sounds: two groups of beasts engaged in fierce battle.

The tiger roared in the mountains and forests, the elephant shook the earth.

Ferocious tigers with sharp claws and thick arms, red elephants with large bodies and great strength. The tigers had their formations, and the elephants had their forms. The groups of tigers leaped and clawed, while the elephants swung their trunks to trample... quite a grand scene.

Looking further into the distance. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Both groups of people cheered and encouraged. Li Xian thought, "This is indeed rare." He focused his attention on observing.

The battle was exhilarating. Li Xian, not wishing to get involved, gestured to leave. Wen Caishang nodded. They then used their Lightweight Skill to retreat far away.

Wen Caishang laughed, "Now it’s my turn to test you, what are the origins of those two groups of people just now?" Li Xian said, "They must be sects."

Wen Caishang rolled her eyes, "You don’t need to state the obvious. I’m asking you which sects." Li Xian said, "Evil Tiger Sect and Elephant Sect?" Wen Caishang playfully scolded, "Nonsense."

Li Xian stopped being playful and earnestly asked for instruction. Wen Caishang said, "It’s the Tiger Luo Sect and Xiangluo Sect." Li Xian suddenly tensed, hurriedly asking, "Madam, you haven’t made any enemies with them, have you?"

Wen Caishang said, "Of course, I have. I killed the wife and child of the Tiger Luo Sect’s Sect Master and destroyed the beloved disciples of the Xiangluo Sect..." Li Xian replied, "If you’re lying, I ought to punish you."

"You dare!" Wen Caishang thought to herself that her strength was so weak, she was like a fish on a chopping board, helpless indeed. Softly, she said, "Recklessly bold, oh well. I was just teasing you earlier. I’ve only heard of the Tiger Luo Sect and the Xiangluo Sect, never interacted with them, so how could there be enmity?"

Li Xian said, "That’s a relief." Wen Caishang said, "These two sects originated from the same one. Later, they split apart, with endless conflicts between tigers and elephants. I didn’t expect them to be based here."

Li Xian said, "It doesn’t matter what sects. We’re just passing by this place. Once we sail away, it has nothing to do with us anymore."

They quickened their pace, entering the city before nightfall. The city’s name was "White Tiger City," and atop the city wall stood a sculpture of a white jade tiger, baring fangs and claws, exquisitely mighty.

As soon as they entered the city.

The bustling sounds swept over them; the city seemed to be celebrating a festival. Red lanterns shone brightly, colorful scenes were everywhere. The local culture and customs were truly unique. Li Xian, feeling they had escaped danger, felt a burst of curiosity. He found a local and asked, "Old man, what festival is today?"

The old man said, "You’re from out of town? Today is the Tiger God Festival, a time to pray for peace, worship ancestors, and appease the Tiger God."

Li Xian asked a few more questions. He learned it was an ancient festival and then turned to Wen Caishang, "Madam, do you think there really is a Tiger God?"

Wen Caishang pondered for a moment and said, "Not necessarily!" Li Xian marveled at the vastness of this world. As they walked through the streets, they suddenly saw a commotion... A group of people pushing wooden carts, carrying tigers with their bellies cut open.

Local residents came out to pay respects. They offered incense, which was quite a peculiar sight. Li Xian heard from afar that there seemed to be a grand sacrificial ceremony happening, with crowds gathering.

Although curious, he still sought stability. He found an inn nearby to stay. Li Xian carefully counted his remaining money. After covering the cost for sailing, there was still some silver left.

He asked, "Do you have anything good to eat here?"

The waiter said, "Yes, we have tiger whip, tiger kidney, tiger bones, tiger meat... all are rare delicacies." Li Xian said, "Oh? Don’t try to deceive me, I’ve eaten a lot of tiger meat. Whether the taste is fresh or savory, I can’t say, but the meat tends to be tough and hard to chew."

"Oh, sir." The waiter said, "Can tigers elsewhere compare to ours? You know of Tiger Cry Ridge, don’t you?"

Li Xian said, "I’ve heard of it. So... the tigers there have delicious meat?" The waiter said, "Not exactly. It’s because... Tiger Cry Ridge is connected to the Endless Mountain Range. That’s a sinister place, with exotic fruits everywhere. The tigers at Tiger Cry Ridge grow by eating these fruits, and when they’ve reached a certain age, they jump into the river."

"The drowned tigers naturally become food. The Tiger Luo Sect skins them for sale, and their meat is sold to us. If they’re lucky enough not to die, then they’re formidable."

"Just like a python transforming into a dragon in the water. These tigers that cross the river are the ’Flipping River Tigers’! Tiger Luo Sect treasures them dearly. Well... all that to say, our tigers nourish from the finest natural resources, their meat is tender and sweet. Hehe."

Li Xian thought, "Endless Mountain Range? I’ve actually heard of it. Fuhua Trading Company often takes this waterway route. But they’ve also encountered mysterious events. There were caravans that explored the mountain range and disappeared without a trace."

Li Xian said, "Alright, bring the food and drink to the room." He smiled at Wen Caishang, "Madam, let’s go upstairs."

The room was simple, but with complete bed and table. The waiter gradually brought in the dishes. First, two jars of "Tiger Wine," specially prepared strong to encourage couples to open up to each other. Then came "Crispy Beans," "Marinated Meat," and other common dishes to accompany the wine.

"Sir, Tiger Hot Meatballs, eat them while they’re hot." The waiter brought a porcelain plate. The lid was opened, releasing a fragrant aroma, revealing two tiger meatballs coated in sauce.

Once all the food was served, the table was filled with delicacies, along with two jars of fine wine, leaving no one to disturb them. Wen Caishang was in high spirits, rolling up her sleeves to pour wine, its aroma wafting strongly.

She filled the cup to the brim, her eyes flickered with bashfulness, charmingly handed it over and said, "Didn’t you ask me to serve you? This humble girl brings the wine. Are you satisfied?"

Graceful and enchanting.

She then leaned over and said, "Dear Li Lang, please drink." When had she ever treated anyone like this?

Li Xian was flattered, drinking several cups. They joyfully conversed over wine until late into the night. Being served by a beauty was a delight.

The lady serving the wine felt all too unreal. As their excitement grew...