Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 251 - 241: Ascending the Red List, Husband Thief and Savage Wife

Chapter 251: Chapter 241: Ascending the Red List, Husband Thief and Savage Wife

[Your sword strikes like a startling swan, Setting Sun Bloodsword Second Level Skill Level +11]

Streams converge into rivers, water droplets wear down stone.

Plucking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, leisurely I see the southern mountains. The countryside’s watery fields are lush, the flowers and trees graceful.

Li Xian finds life peaceful, plans the journey south in a vague manner. Before setting out, he needs to gather money, and so he catches fish, shrimp, crabs, and eels in the fields... to exchange for money in the county.

After working several days, he gathered around a dozen copper coins, still insufficient for travel expenses. He then turns his attention to the "Red List" at the County Government Office, intending to capture villains for money.

Suddenly, new posts appeared on the Red List. Li Xian informs Wen Caishang, then rushes to the county’s center, heading straight for the bustling notice board. The crowd is thick, forming a wall. Li Xian, agile as always, reaches the notice board.

His eyes scan over it, and suddenly he’s taken aback. Two portraits are particularly eye-catching, bearing a seventy percent resemblance to Li Xian and Wen Caishang, but with added sinister intent, conveyed through the eyebrows, corners of the mouth, and facial structure... all worked on meticulously to enhance the connotation of evil and bloodlust. The artistry is excellent, crafted with care.

Below the paintings, vermilion pen embellishes: "Heart-eating Young Master Li Renshan", "Blood-drinking Poison Woman Wen Shexie".

The constable posting the notice said, "All folks, come and take a look. See if these two have appeared nearby."

Onlookers inquired, "Officer, what did these two do?"

The constable said, "The husband steals, the wife is wanton, they committed every grave atrocity! Li Renshan carves out people’s hearts and livers, Wen Shexie cuts off hands and feet. Half a month ago, the two passed through several villages, committing numerous horrific crimes that anger both gods and men, unbearable to witness!"

"In short... Everyone, pay attention. If you have information, report it quickly, these two are extremely dangerous, any negligence could be disastrous!"

The civilians angrily condemned them, cursing as adulterous and wicked, all feeling deeply afraid.

It turns out...

On the day of the great defeat at the flower sea, Su Qiuyu and Zhao Zhiyuan... and others were greatly humiliated. After counting the casualties, they became even more furious, searching madly everywhere, but with little result.

Days passed and their annoyance gradually faded. Su Qiuyu, Li Quan, Zhao Zhiyuan, and others discussed strategies, sitting around a table, conversing by candlelight.

One night passed with little success. Li Xian, cunning and smart, outwitted even Su Qiuyu. Frustrated and depressed, Su Qiuyu and the others felt stifled.

Li Quan pounded the table and cursed, "That bastard ruined my plans, I wish I could skin him alive and tear out his tendons!"

The words were unintended but heard with intent.

Su Qiuyu’s eyes flashed, suddenly hatching a vicious plan, murmuring, "Skin him alive, tear out his tendons?" Li Quan cursed, "What do you mean?" Su Qiuyu smiled, "I have a good plan, but... it is quite ruthless, are you willing to hear it?"

Zhao Zhiyuan, full of concerns, said, "If there is a plan, please speak quickly. Otherwise, with Wen Caishang’s temperament, she’ll surely come looking in the future!" Knowing a bit of Wen Caishang’s methods, he found it hard to sleep.

Su Qiuyu said, "Our biggest problem is we can’t find that bastard. After escaping, he is so cunning he leaves no trace... If we could find him and gather the Infinite Blade and brothers from Shiluo Village, we could naturally capture him."

Zhao Zhiyuan asked, "How to find him?" Su Qiuyu said, "Naturally by skinning and tearing tendons!" He explained further, "We skin others, tear other people’s tendons. Create terrifying crimes and say they are the work of Wen Caishang and Li Xian. Naturally, people will help us look for them, making it impossible for them to escape."

Zhao Zhiyuan said, "It’s a vicious plan, but it can work. However, Lady Zhe Jian’s name is famous, if word spreads, what to do if someone helps them?"

Su Qiuyu said, "Therefore... in the Red List bounty, there cannot be names like ’Lady Zhe Jian’ or ’Wen Caishang’. Just say she is the Blood-drinking Poison Woman, Wen Shexie. With Wen Caishang stepping out of the Jianghu for a long time, such a bounty issued, besides us, who would think she is Lady Zhe Jian? They would take her to be a notorious criminal. Aren’t we then the ones carrying out justice?"

The group pondered carefully and found it reasonable. This plan was ruthless and efficient, and they immediately acted overnight. Using ruthless methods, they exterminated several villages, creating horrifying crimes.

Zhao Zhiyuan had an elder brother named "Zhao Zhigao", affiliated with the Celestial Patrol Bureau. He drafted a letter, explaining the situation.

Through astute operations, they came forward to identify and fabricate "Heart-eating Young Master Li Renshan" and "Blood-drinking Poison Woman Wen Shexie". Word spread across the four seas, constantly fermenting.

As the word spread from mouth to mouth, it brewed across the lands, suddenly very close. Li Xian, hiding for a long time, was indeed forced out by this scheme.

Li Xian thought, "What a vicious plan, the lady might be ruthless but never kills without reason. For killing us, they actually committed such atrocities!" Taking advantage of the chaos to leave, he used lightweight skills to hurry back to the earthen house.

The small courtyard with earthen walls. Wen Caishang wielded her sword gracefully, her movements light and smooth, yet her Swordsmanship was peculiarly high. Li Xian happily said, "Lady, you can walk now?"

Wen Caishang smiled, "Last night, I circulated my blood and energy, passed through my bones and tendons, now I can walk. Why are you in such a hurry, what’s the matter?"

Li Xian recounted all he heard in the city. Wen Caishang’s eyes flashed coldly, the two discussed for a moment and decided to leave immediately. Li Xian packed their bags, Wen Caishang folded clothes.

Seeing the flowers and plants in the courtyard, the water fields outside. The tranquility and harmony stirred reluctance. Wen Caishang thought, "Su Qiuyu, Li Quan... Hmph, when the time comes, I’ll settle with you all, ensuring you wish for death over life!" She pulled out her sword, carving on the earthen wall:

"Your life is spared for now; I’ll claim it another day."

Li Xian held Wen Caishang’s hand, channeling his inner Qi to make her steps light and swift. As the Qi flowed, he avoided the Qi Lake, directing it through the hand and foot meridians; otherwise, if the Gu worms absorbed it, it would all be in vain.

His Qi was abundant, and even with a slow transfer, it remained full. Wen Caishang tightened her grip with a smile, her sleeves fluttering gracefully, making her appear quite charming. As they reached the village entrance, a loud shout rang out: "The culprits are here, shoot!"

Arrows flew towards them. Li Xian pulled Wen Caishang behind him, defending tightly with his sword. He struck down all the arrows, seeing that dozens of people were blocking the village entrance.

They were all clad in armor and steel helmets, wielding long spears and sharp swords, advancing aggressively. It turns out "Li Daqin" had entered the city today, saw the "red list warrant," was terrified, and immediately went to the county government office to report.

The leading officer said: "Villain Li Renshan, vixen Wen Shexie, surrender quickly and await your punishment! Those who resist, don’t blame us for being impolite."

Li Xian knew it was useless to say more and replied, "Hmph, what can you do if you’re impolite?" He raised his palm for a feigned strike. His inner Qi surged wildly, and the palm force was immense. The surrounding opponents were pushed to the ground, their cries rising and falling.

This move was called "Pushing the Wave." The Qi coursed through the Xiaobai and Chize meridians, the Qi waves surging with great momentum.

Li Xian intoned, "Tsunami!" Both palms retracted. The powerful Qi force struck everyone down, making them stagger and fall, dropping their helmets and armor in utter defeat.

Pushing the Wave’s palm force was outward, while Tsunami’s palm force was inward. Together, these two moves clashed like opposite tides, instantly unleashing potent destructive power. It made opponents face enemies on both fronts, pushed both internally and externally.

The surrounded soldiers fell to the ground, their cries rising and falling, unable to stand again.

Li Xian glanced at "Li Daqin." Li Daqin fell to the ground with a "splash," his clothes soaked.

Li Xian thought to himself, "This incident happening reveals my actions. Those people are sure to pursue us to this village. To deepen our infamy, they might seize the opportunity to massacre, creating another horrifying murder case." Shaking his head, he sighed, "If you hadn’t spoken, it could have been as if nothing happened, but you did. You should quickly flee and seek your own fortune."

After leaving Harmony Village, they headed straight north and saw a rushing river. It was a "branch of the Benhua River." Li Xian waved and shouted, calling over a boat. They sailed along the river.

The two sat at the stern. Both sides of the river were adorned with fresh flowers, bees and butterflies frolicking around, teeming with vitality. Though Li Xian and Wen Caishang hurried, they were not flustered. They enjoyed the scenery along the river, remaining calm and composed.

The river flowed gently, and the boat sailed swiftly. No sign of pursuing troops was heard for a few miles. Li Xian surmised that while Su Qiuyu and others had devised sinister and malicious plans and found his location, their response would require time. With his escape from encirclement, the difference in timing gave him the upper hand.

"Huashui Prefecture is located to the northeast of Yu Nan Dao. Its river network, mountain ranges, and cities... though unfamiliar to me, during this time of recuperation, I interacted with people from merchant guilds. I’ve learned of a rarely known and convenient route to the Qiong Heavenly Mansion."

The boatman skillfully steered the boat with a pole, steadily maintaining its course despite the river’s waves. Li Xian recalled the Ethereal Immortal Sound and the legend of "becoming solid at water’s touch." He dipped his fingers into the river, feeling them instantly burden with weight, as if pressed by an immense mountain.

Li Xian remarked, "So this is the sensation of the pure rising and the impure sinking. Even with the ’Jade Water Pearl,’ I dare not enter the water lightly."

Wen Caishang pierced her fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall, and said, "Drink this and try again."

Li Xian complied, dipping his fingers into the water, feeling the sense of weight lessen considerably. Curious, he asked, "Madam, what’s the rationale behind this?"

Wen Caishang smiled, "It pertains to the Third Realm; once your time comes, you’ll understand. Explaining now is pointless."

Half an hour later, the boat reached the shore. After paying ten copper coins, the boatman shouted and rowed away. Li Xian knew Wen Caishang could move now, though her Qi power was still weak; long journeys would be tough to endure. After walking a few more miles, they stopped to rest and drink water.

Wen Caishang lightly wiped her sweat, unable to avoid dust. Cold sweat surfaced on her forehead, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her demeanor was dignified yet carried a distinct charm.

Several days passed. They traveled over a hundred miles.

Li Xian consumed [Essence Treasures] daily, with the Ethereal Immortal Sound becoming increasingly pronounced, faintly echoing three soft chimes.

That day.

Li Xian pointed to a river path in the distance and said, "The river networks of the Great Wu Dynasty are incredibly complex! There are flows towards all directions, with tributaries and main rivers branching out."

"I’ve heard some information. Following this direction for another fifty miles will lead to the Wei Hu River. This great river directly reaches the Qiong Heavenly Mansion, but few know of it. Do you know, madam?"

Wen Caishang smiled, "I know you’re showcasing your knowledge. I don’t know; tell me more."

Li Xian said, "The Wei Hu River flows southwest, with its main course running through ’Lin’an Prefecture,’ quite distant from the Qiong Heavenly Mansion. Consequently, no one really knows."

"However, by taking the Wei Hu River, turning into the ’Smoke River’ tributary, then into the ’Piaoshah River’ tributary... following such routes, you can eventually reach the Qiong Heavenly Mansion. The river networks are complex like this. It took the merchant guild decades of exploration to figure out such a route."

The vast territory of Great Wu is extensive. Precisely due to its vastness, rich resources, and varied terrain entailing interspersed rivers and towering mountains... a single river may have over a hundred names. Despite being clearly connected front and back, due to people’s narrow vision, they remain completely unaware."

Wen Caishang smiled, "Are you looking for me to commend you?" Li Xian replied, "What else?" Wen Caishang said, "Alright, alright, you’re great; let’s move on and avoid unnecessary delays."