Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 324 - 269: Entering the Flower Cage, Surrounded by Beasts? Deep Fates, Serving the Beauty

Chapter 324: Chapter 269: Entering the Flower Cage, Surrounded by Beasts? Deep Fates, Serving the Beauty

The shimmering blue waves, the mild warmth of spring. Amidst the vast river tides, Li Xian unwittingly boarded the bandit ship and was tragically besieged by the crowd. The opponents were many and powerful, mastering arrays, eyeing him fiercely.

It turned out...

Li Xian leaped beneath the river, but the river’s veins were complex. Meandering and convoluted, with many branches and forks. Unknowingly, he entered a branch of the Bishui River, swept by the current, heading north one moment, west the next...

In the twists and turns, he unexpectedly encountered the "Flower Cage Sect" bandit ship. Speaking of earlier, between Chongling Prefecture and South King City, there was indeed a line of Flower Cage Sect bandits.

They captured the "niece of the Prince Nan’s Mansion," prompting the Prince’s Mansion to host a hero’s feast, calling upon Jianghu warriors to aid in the capture. The momentum was grand, determined to strangle the Flower Thieves. Yet the Flower Cage Sect was extremely adept at escaping, always finding gaps in even the tightest nets, with some always slipping through.

They disguised themselves as "merchants," sailing along the river. Their leader was named "Ye Cheng," a middle-aged man with a handsome appearance and a refined demeanor, but his methods were highly decisive.

He led the Flower Cage Sect disciples safely across the river, believing the crisis had been evaded, when suddenly Li Xian emerged. Naturally, without a word, he ordered his execution.

Li Xian, quick-witted, in the blink of an ambush, his thoughts flashed rapidly. He first heard them mention "Chief Constable" and "track"... and so on. He deduced that they must be fugitives.

And given their numbers, the pursuit was bound to be formidable. Recalling his escape route, Li Xian suddenly thought of the "Prince Nan’s Mansion" hero’s feast. This sparked his suspicion that the people on board might be from the Flower Cage Sect.

Yet, he couldn’t reach a conclusion with just that. The vast Jianghu is ever-changing. Li Xian observed further and faintly discerned a formation among the disciples, vaguely possessing the elements of the "Eight Trigrams." Aligning subtly with the "Pan Chang Step."

This further confirmed his suspicions. At this moment, the Flower Cage Sect bandits were about to strike. Li Xian had but one gamble; if things went awry, he would tear away the façade and seek another way.

Upon speaking, the bandits looked doubtful, yet their killing intent halted. They merely circled around him. Seventeen people formed the encirclement, their footsteps chaotic yet methodical, creating frequent sounds of stomping.

Apparently having the effect of disorienting one’s mind. As Li Xian watched their shadows move, he saw doubles before him, one becoming three, three becoming ten, ten becoming a hundred... Enveloped in a haze, it felt as if surrounded by thousands. A timid person, facing such a scene, would surely surrender, not daring to resist, fearing death beneath random sticks.

This was the "Profusion of Blooms Formation," with the marvel of "dazzling eyes with scattered blooms" and "bewildering the mind with profuse blooms." Through this formation, even ordinary disciples of the Flower Cage Sect could secretly poison and form a formation to capture female warriors.

Li Xian too felt disoriented. He quietly employed the "Protective Sound," steadfastly guarding his mind, rigidly staying put.

With hands behind his back, Ye Cheng said, "Oh? You say you’re a Flower Cage Sect disciple, do you have evidence, what’s your name?"

Li Xian replied, "My surname is Hua, named Wucuo."

He intended to use a false name. Yet in the urgency, he was too lazy to think of a "surname," thus retaining the "Hua" surname. But for the name, choosing "Full House" might lead to being traced. Avoiding trouble, he casually uttered "Wucuo" (no wrong).

"Hua Wucuo." Ye Cheng thoughtfully pondered, then applauded: "Hua Wucuo, Hua Wucuo... good! What a fine name. What wrongs does our Flower Cage Sect have? Hahaha."

The bandits all laughed heartily. Their hostility toward Li Xian toned down. Ye Cheng further asked, "How can I be sure you’re not a Chief Constable?"

Li Xian answered, "I have always been irreconcilable with the Chief Constable. Honestly... it’s because I’ve been hunted, fleeing downriver. That’s how I encountered you brothers."

"Brothers might want to consider. Our Flower Cage Sect’s escape methods, how formidable are they? If I were the Chief Constable, could I have truly found you? Even a Divine Hunter, might find it difficult, right?"

"And if I were a Chief Constable, boarding the ship alone, wouldn’t I be courting death?"

Ye Cheng nodded and said, "Your words do have reason, but they only indicate that you’re not a Chief Constable. However... it remains hard to prove you’re one of our Flower Cage Sect."

"I’ll give you another chance, please find a way to prove yourself. If you can’t prove yourself clearly, even at the risk of a wrongful kill, you may not be spared."

Li Xian said, "Please look at the token." He took out the "Flower Cage Sect" token from his chest. This item was once owned by the Flower Cage Sect disciple "Gu Shuntong."

In the past... as a Martial Captain, Li Xian enjoyed great prestige. Grandmother Lin Aoshan of the Lin family, to establish merit, invited him to eliminate the remnants of the Flower Cage.

Among them was a Flower Cage Sect disciple with uncommon talent, possessing the [Snake Bone Appearance]. Li Xian struck and killed him, searched his remains, obtaining "Thunderbolt Finger," "Flower Cage Token," and other belongings.

Carrying them with him, they now found use. Ye Cheng, with a mere raise of his hand, absorbed the Flower Cage Token into his palm, examining it closely, confirming its authenticity.

He tossed it back, and said indifferently, "Though you hold the token, it’s still hard to prove yourself. Have you practiced our sect’s martial arts?"

Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "A disciple just entered the sect but was pursued and dispersed before learning anything. I barely survived boarding this merchant ship, so if the token fails to prove me, then... I have nothing to say."

He advanced by retreating.

The Flower Cage Sect disciples nodded silently. Since entering the Flower Cage Sect, enduring bitter hardships, being pursued and encircled, had indeed become commonplace. Li Xian’s described situation was one they had more or less experienced.

Ye Cheng still found it difficult to ascertain Li Xian’s authenticity. Yet observing the expressions of disciples, he couldn’t help but think: "This lad may not necessarily be a Flower Cage Sect disciple, but he’s likely not a Chief Constable. His words just now resonated with the disciples. If I kill him now, the disciples might wonder... If they seek help from fellow disciples later on, will they be killed on the spot due to the inability to prove themselves."

"Since he’s no constable, and is indeed pursued, allowing him is not impossible."

He said aloud, "Very well, though you have the token, your entry is shallow. I’ll keep the token, and you’re considered a registered apprentice. Jo San Yan, take him to his quarters, give him new clothes, and let him rest well."