Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Qingning County has gained a Martial Captain, bringing vitality to the halls.

Li Xian stands tall, youthful yet already beginning to show potential. The five constables were all cautious, yet couldn't help but cast curious glances.

"Have any of you practiced martial arts?" Li Xian asked.

"My lord, I have learned the Three Knife Skills. Does that count as practicing martial arts?" Zhang Hou responded nervously.

Wang Wu hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said:

"The martial arts are strictly regulated in the county. As new constables, if we want to truly learn martial arts, we must diligently serve the senior constables for at least three years, serving tea and attending to every need. Only after those three years can we learn even one or two techniques."

"Among us five, Zhang Hou has been a constable the longest, but that is only for a few months. He's only learned the Three Knife Skills, suitable for dealing with common peddlers."

As Wang Wu was speaking, Li Xian stepped forward and grabbed his arm. With a gentle pinch, he felt the bones and muscles.

Wang Wu was startled and instinctively tried to pull back. He realized Li Xian's strength was immense, and he could resist no further.

Li Xian examined each one of them.

"Although your bones and muscles are average, if you start practicing martial arts now and work hard, you may achieve something."

"I will teach you the Four Directions Fist. Practice diligently, and whoever first cultivates a thread of Inner Qi will be rewarded with one hundred coins."

"This fist technique must not be disclosed to outsiders, and if you learn my martial arts, you must obey my commands. Should I find you committing any treacherous acts or harming the people..."

Li Xian glanced around and saw a wooden stick half a foot away. His eyes flashed with sharp light as he sternly said, "Like this stick!"

He raised his palm and struck through the air.

With a "crack," the wooden stick shattered into several pieces. The five constables were both astonished and delighted yet fearful, and they knelt down together: "We five, from now on, if alive, are the Martial Captain's men, if dead, are the Martial Captain's ghosts, with no disloyalty!"

"Good, stand up. I am free today, and I will guide you in martial arts practice." Li Xian nodded.

The lady's methods were top-notch, and Li Xian learned a thing or two, using them effectively. Winning over people with a balance of kindness and power was no challenge.

The five were sincerely convinced and would henceforth follow orders as if they were his own arms.

The Four Directions Fist is square externally and round internally, as Li Xian divided the fist technique into the principles of "Square" and "Round."

First practice the "Square Fist," then refine the "Round Fist."

Good advice is invaluable; Li Xian's words were concise and targeted. Just a few words enlightened them with the true essence of the fist technique.

The five initially struggled with the fist technique but respected Li Xian from the bottom of their hearts, engraving his words into their minds.

With time, as they slowly contemplated and reflected, their mastery of the Four Directions Fist would not be lacking. Even if their aptitude was poor, with steadfastness over more than ten years, they would surely reach the day of "Great Success."

If their talent was extraordinary and insight high, progress would be rapid, advancing by leaps and bounds.

After arranging everything,

Li Xian did not neglect his own practice of the martial art "Vertical Cloud Hand."

[Vertical Cloud Hand]

[Skill Level: 3415/5000 Great Success]

Heaven rewards diligence, and with hard practice, progress is inevitable. However, using the right method can yield twice the results with half the effort.

Li Xian moved the large stove pot into the courtyard.

He then instructed Zhang Hou to bring a type of "grass." This grass was typically feed for horses, with a soft texture. It also had a peculiar effect, producing thick white smoke when burned.

The white smoke was dense and wouldn't dissipate easily, which was extremely peculiar. This served as a wonderful aid in practicing "Vertical Cloud Hand."

The five constables watched from the side.

Li Xian placed the grass into the pot, igniting it with fire. With the pot lid on, the pot was soon filled with dense white smoke.

He then took two sheets of paper, lit them, and tossed them into the pot as well.

As the paper burned out, black smoke emerged.

Thus, within the pot, the white smoke swirled with strands of black smoke intermingling, yet remaining distinct, never mixing.

Li Xian's hands moved deftly, reaching into the pot to extract the black smoke without disturbing the white smoke.

Probing Clouds and Mist, Cloud Exploration!

It was nothing short of miraculous.

The smoke was nebulous, with form yet without substance. To reach into the mist without disturbing it was extraordinary.

To then extract the black smoke from within it was even more incredulous.

Li Xian circled the pot, with each act swift and precise. His fingers pinched the mist, drawing it away.

[Your Probing Clouds and Mist, Skill Level +6]

[Your Probing Clouds and Mist, Skill Level +8]

...

Strand by strand, he drew out black smoke, like unraveling silk.

Soon, the pot was filled with pure white mist, not a trace of black smoke to be seen. The constables couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, clapping in awe.

[Skill Level: 3754/5000 Great Success]

As evening approached,

Li Xian exhaled a deep breath, flicked his long fingers to relieve tension in his muscles. Today's smoke practice showed significant progress.

He gave a brief instruction before leaving the hall.

He turned down several streets and arrived at a clothing shop.

The signboard read "Luo's Clothing Shop" in four characters; inside, the decor was simple and unadorned.

Li Xian walked into the shop, and the shopkeeper, noticing Li Xian's extraordinary demeanor, hurried over to inquire politely, thinking to himself, "This gentleman is tall, handsome, and carries an air of distinction. Why would he visit my little shop? Surely he must have made a mistake."

After a brief conversation, Li Xian straightforwardly explained his purpose and revealed his identity. The shopkeeper then realized, humbly saying, "So you are the Martial Captain, my eyes were blind to not recognize such a great figure like you."

Li Xian asked for the accounts to review the shop's business situation.

In the Great Wu Dynasty, a bolt of rough cloth cost about 250 wen. The shop's business of buying and selling cloth was a small trade, just a modest income at best.

As Li Xian perused the ledger, he surveyed the shop environment, contemplating:

"This clothing shop was a gift from the Zhao Family. The shop covers about a hundred square meters, but its supply is average, mostly rough cloth. This rough cloth is bought from the county's women. The profit margin is small, and it's just hard-earned money."

"It's tasteless to eat, yet a pity to discard."

"I've looked over the accounts. In a good season, after deducting labor costs, I can earn two taels of silver a month."

This place is "West Wind Street."

Its business status is average; if it were on "Red Candle Street," it would be a different story altogether.

Moreover, shops in Qingning County have to pay a protection fee to gangs. A few hundred wen at least, or one or two taels at most. For ordinary people's small shops and stalls, though better off than tenant farmers, they still live in fear and trembling.

The "Tailor Shop" next to "Luo's Clothing Shop" is also Li Xian's property, a gift from the Lin Family.

The situation of both shops is similar. After reviewing the ledger, a thought suddenly occurred to Li Xian: "My wife has a large area of mulberry trees, providing precious silk fabric every month. If I can extract some for use in my shop, the monthly income will surely increase greatly."

He closed the ledger, feeling in high spirits.

Suddenly he saw a woman, holding a roll of cloth, walking into the shop with her head down.

Li Xian called out, "Aunt Liu."

Aunt Liu was startled, looking around and seeing that it was Li Xian calling her. She nervously said, "Sir, were… were you calling me?" Her legs turned to jelly in fright.

Li Xian smiled warmly and said, "Aunt Liu, I'm Little Immortal, don't you recognize me?"

"Ah! Little… Little Immortal? Are you Little Immortal?" Aunt Liu was shocked, but upon taking a closer look, it was indeed Li Xian. She said, "So strange, so strange. Why did you dab a red mole on your forehead? But I must say, it looks nice."

"Ah…"

Aunt Liu thought of something: "Little Immortal, you… you're… not that young hero, are you?"

"I dare not claim so, but recently everyone has been saying that," Li Xian cheerfully replied, "Aunt Liu, were you here to sell cloth?"

"Yes," Aunt Liu said, "A while ago, the fierce Yellow Dragon Army came. Your Uncle Wang and I…" At this point, Aunt Liu suddenly realized that Li Xian's status was now different, and those words might be offensive.

Li Xian smiled and said, "Aunt Liu, let others say what they will. It doesn't affect our relationship. I still owe you thanks for Xiaofan's sake."

Aunt Liu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Little Immortal, you're such a good child. Now that you've become successful, you're still so humble. It's people like you who can go far."

Li Xian guided Aunt Liu to a seat, brought her a cup of tea, and asked, "By the way, what happened to Uncle Wang?"

Aunt Liu held the cup with both hands, feeling thirsty. After taking a sip, she said, "It's nothing. We wanted to escape, but your Uncle Wang broke his leg and couldn't run. Later, the Yellow Dragon Army was defeated, and we still needed to make a living. Since your Uncle Wang can't move well, I thought of weaving cloth to sell."

Li Xian understood and after pondering briefly, said, "How about this? Aunt Liu, you and Uncle Wang help me manage this clothing shop."

Aunt Liu quickly waved her hands, "How could that work? I'm just a woman. Your Uncle Wang is no better; besides his foul mouth, he has no real skills. If we mess up your shop, it won't do at all."

"Don't worry," Li Xian laughed, "I'll have someone teach you. If it really doesn't work out, you can be a part-time shopkeeper, keeping the place clean. That would be helpful too."

"This..."

Aunt Liu's eyes moistened, touched, "Little Immortal, really... really thank you."

Li Xian noticed Aunt Liu was wearing coarse clothes, patched and worn. He knew Aunt Liu and Uncle Wang were living in hardship. Since he now had the means, he should help them.

Seeing Aunt Liu happy, Li Xian couldn't help but think, "Aunt Liu has helped me a lot. If it weren't for her keeping an eye out, my younger brother and I wouldn't have our achievements today. This little help is hardly anything."

He felt quite pleased too.

...

...

Inside the Commander's Courtyard.

Li Xian had just consumed a gram of "Essence Treasure," the Essence of Heaven and Earth spreading throughout his body.

His chest drummed like thunder.

The heavens roared with anger, the sound of thunder echoed. A Martial Artist who consumes Essence Treasure finds their body in harmony with heaven and earth and can emit similar sounds, able to intimidate petty criminals.

Five or six strands of the Essence of Heaven and Earth remained. Li Xian felt entirely refreshed, took a cool bath, and sat in the courtyard's grand armchair, calculating his gains.

Now that there are shops in the city, every day brings financial income. Though Qingning County is small, it has forces like the "Pill Pavilion."

Once he has some money, he can buy elixirs and advance his martial arts.

His wife wouldn't protect him.

But he could use his wife's influence to carve out his own world in Qingning County.

"The silk matter is indeed feasible. If my wife agrees, even the slender profits slipping through her fingers would be enough for me to live well on."

"However... I still need to think about how to bring up this matter with her."

Li Xian was deep in thought.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps outside the courtyard.

"Li Xian, the lady has finished her retreat and is calling for you," Qiuyue's voice sounded.

Li Xian opened the courtyard door and said, "Alright, I'll go right away."

Qiuyue turned to leave, muttering to herself, "The lady, once out of retreat, couldn't wait to summon Li Xian. Though the lady is a celestial being, she is still a woman, and if this continues..."