Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 336 - 272: Noblewoman’s Shyness, Good and Bad News, Heavy Pupils Revealed Again, Flower Cage Gathering

Chapter 336: Chapter 272: Noblewoman’s Shyness, Good and Bad News, Heavy Pupils Revealed Again, Flower Cage Gathering

As dusk fell, the remaining light scattered, casting fleeting shadows, like crossing gold lacquer. The elegant, light boat approached the flower boat, and the person on board tapped their toes, soaring gracefully upward, flying lightly, and then stepping forward steadily onto the deck.

The flower boat drifted along the river, the deck empty and devoid of human traces. The sails were rolled up, and no one knew of the guest arriving, as silent as before.

The person headed straight to the cabin, their steps graceful as if exceedingly familiar with the ship’s structure. Through narrow passages, they chose their turns carefully, walking east at times, west at others.

They must have mastery of geomancy, layout...

Ye Cheng suddenly had a premonition, pushed aside the beauty beside him, causing the ladies to exclaim, their garments scattered. Ye Cheng casually picked up a couple of pieces, draped them over himself, slipped on his shoes and socks, and walked out briskly.

This flower boat was named "Jade Flower." It was funded by the Flower Cage Sect, and Jade City contributed to its building. Later, the Sect Leader gifted the boat to Ye Cheng, handing over all specifications, layouts, and device usages on board.

He studied for several years, mastering the main mechanisms thoroughly. He turned left, then right... His steps agile, and in an instant, he moved from his solitary quarters on the third layer to the narrow path on the first layer.

Blocking the incoming visitor.

He respectfully said: "Bridge Escort, I failed to offer a distant welcome, please forgive me."

The person who boarded the ship turned out to be the Flower Cage Sect’s "Bridge Escort," named Jin Shichang. The Flower Cage Sect had a multitude of bad deeds, standing against various factions in Jianghu, any carelessness could lead to downfall. Therefore, they acted cautiously, requiring the "Bridge Escort" to guide when it came to key areas of the sect for entry.

Jin Shichang said: "No matter, even if you wished to welcome me from afar, you simply lack the ability." His voice was sharp and thin, a masculine form with feminine manners. His waist was slender but his shoulders were broad, jet-black hair like a waterfall yet his arms were robust, graceful in his gait yet his face was rugged.

Ye Cheng laughed and said: "Indeed."

Ye Cheng continued: "Please come in, Ambassador. I’ve set up a feast to entertain; please stay a while. Lead us to the Water Altar for the grand event."

Jin Shichang said: "Alright."

Ye Cheng personally arranged everything. He prepared accommodations on the third layer, served good food and wine. The Flower Cage Sect revered the "Five Elements and Eight Trigrams," "special skills and crafts," "array and maze," and "geomancy."

Ye Cheng fled along the way, intending to return to the "Water Altar." He maneuvered the flower boat along the winding waterways, shaking off various pursuers. But even he did not know the location of the Water Altar.

He lingered on the river, quietly waiting for the Bridge Escort to arrive, to steer the ship into the Water Altar. The so-called "Bridge Escort" was a major position in the Flower Cage Sect. They never left the altar and were devoted to guiding disciples back and forth.

Their status was highly revered.

Ye Cheng did not dare to be negligent. Exiting the altar and entering it was troublesome without Jin Shichang, therefore he prepared early with jewels and ornaments to cater to his tastes as gifts.

Jin Shichang, despite being male, displayed feminine traits. He especially loved "jewels and fine artifacts," most fond of contemporary master "Snow Marquis’s" jewelry. Ye Cheng failed to obtain any, leaving him slightly disappointed. But many jewels and fine artifacts were purchased, letting him enjoy them for a while, thus he wasn’t angry.

He lounged on the third layer, drinking with Ye Cheng, appreciating paintings, playing with jewels and artifacts. Ye Cheng knew Jin Shichang’s temperament well, not fond of women. Hence, he sent away all beauties and conversed with him regarding jewels and fine artifacts.

...

...

The setting sun had dimmed, the water surface dark as lacquer. Li Xian looked through his Heavy Pupils, observing the continuous river flow, uncertain of his own whereabouts.

The Great Wu river network was intertwined, woven in loops, intricate like weaving cloth. Accompanied by towering mountain formations, lush forest clusters, even from a thousand-foot peak, it was hard to discern the river network.

Wen Caishang was urgently searching for her husband, forcing Li Xian into a corner. He used the Bishui River to sneak away and ended up on a pirate ship by accident. Since then, he had been far from the Bishui River.

After several days of navigating the flower boat, river joined with the river, river returned to the river... swirling around and around. The surrounding mountain shapes and terrain were neither "Chongling Prefecture" nor "Qiong Heavenly Mansion."

Li Xian calmed his mind and settled his breath, closing his eyes to rest. When the hours of the Tiger and Rabbit came, he joined the group practicing Martial Arts. His progress was swift, achieving minor success in [Flying Serpent Hand]. His perception was extraordinary, combined with "Heaven rewards diligence," hard work brought progress, progress brought gains.

The days on the flower boat were both tedious and fulfilling.

Several days quietly passed.

Every day during the hours of the Tiger and Rabbit, Li Xian practiced martial arts. In other times, he studied "Vomiting Blood Scripture" and "Impure Operation of the Five Organs." Li Xian was acquainted with Qiao Sanyan. The rest of the crowd, till now, hasn’t talked.

Li Xian had no intention of blending in, thus lacking further relations.

If there was anything interesting, it was during noon when he fed the two women Bian Qiaoqiao and Nangong Liuli. Li Xian, harboring malicious intentions, was far from gentlemanly. He seized opportunities to tease the two women.

Once the meal concluded, Li Xian would tidy up the box, and during this spare time, commence open discussions, talk about the world and pull up random topics.

He took the chance to inquire about the conditions of Daoxuan Mountain and the Nangong Family. Bian Qiaoqiao was simple-minded, but Nangong Liuli was calm and profound. Because of this, Daoxuan Mountain often had casual talks, revealing some important news. Yet the Nangong Family remained mysterious, with rare disclosures.

Nangong Liuli used the feeding times given by Li Xian to secretly mark the days of her captivity. Through conversations with Li Xian, her resolve grew stronger. She refused to sink into ruin, her mind sharp, constantly considering escape plans.

However, the Flower Cage Sect’s methods of capture were indeed ingenious. Continually bound by shackles, her body swayed with the ship, pent-up and frustrated.

Li Xian’s actions were restricted.

The flower boat’s narrow paths were complex; without permission, one couldn’t walk freely.

Although Li Xian was relatively free, the places he could go were limited to his private bedroom, the deck, the lower-level cell, and the dining hall.

The bedroom had few mechanisms, offering little research value, but its walls were unusually durable. The deck and dining hall were crowded with people, revealing his Heavy Pupils would be courting death.

Only the lower-level cell offered a glimpse of various mechanisms. Deliberating secrets within, unsure if it would be useful, but with the spare time, he did as much as he could.

He covered the eyes of the two women, revealing his Heavy Pupils to explore the mechanisms.

In between, he occasionally saw the two women’s bodies. With the power of insight, he unintentionally "offended," peeking into intriguing mysteries. Secretly thinking Nangong Liuli indeed, despite being older, appeared dignified and serene, yet internally concealed blazing fire.