Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

The full moon hangs high, the inner courtyard is perpetually spring.

The Jingxin Tower looms in dark majesty, its grandeur solemn, bathed in silver radiance, like a side of the moon painted with silver lacquer.

Li Xian heard a transmitted message and dared not delay. He halted his Martial Arts practice and immediately proceeded to the base of the tower. From afar, he observed the towering structure, imbued with unique significance.

Li Xian paused outside the door, and moments later, a message from the Madam came: "You may ascend the tower!"

The Jingxin Tower, with its black bricks and red tiles, is constructed of extraordinary materials. It can stabilize geomancy, secure the home. The Madam is widely learned, with knowledge of the I Ching, geomancy and construction, alchemy and medicine... all well-versed. Evident in all aspects.

Li Xian entered the tower, met with a chill of Yin Qi, refreshing and invigorating. A few steps further, a warm breeze blew. The coolness vanished, replaced by dry heat and discomfort.

This is the brilliance of feng shui design. The base of the tower resembles a Bagua, regulating Yin and Yang. The clear breeze of heaven and earth enters the tower, navigating multiple hexagrams, dividing into Yin and Yang winds, then exiting through the main door.

The Yin wind is gentle, blowing away dust, sweat, fatigue, and distracting thoughts. The Yang wind, dry and oppressive, dispels moisture and impurities...

Upon entry, it immediately regulates Yin and Yang.

The staircase spirals upward, the tower perpetually in darkness, not even a hand can be seen in front of one's face. One must rely on the guidance of the railing. Li Xian walked for a long time, reaching a spacious room on the first layer.

Oil lamps stood on all sides, but they were extinguished.

In the room, precious incense burned, the smoke spiraling upwards, the aroma lingering, captivating the mind. The surroundings were pitch black, save for the slight glow from the incense burner.

But the firelight was weak, insufficient for illumination.

Li Xian, with exceptionally keen eyesight, could easily see in the dark. Though it was dark here, he could see everything clearly. Quickly he saw the figure of the Madam, causing his face to blush slightly.

"The world's divine skills come with both benefits and pitfalls. The benefits are endless, the pitfalls inescapable. Who would have thought such a dignified Madam... would find herself so helpless?"

Li Xian thought to himself, feeling schadenfreude, amused by the sight, yet finding it quite captivating. Mockingly thinking: "The Madam always stabs me with her sword, should the day come when I surpass her, I'll stab back."

The Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique is a treasure and strange skill. Extremely formidable, exceedingly peculiar. Practitioners can achieve flawless appearances, unmatched beauty.

The martial artists of the world, the higher they cultivate advanced martial arts, the more mysterious they become. They dare not easily divulge, for within the practice often lie weaknesses.

Wearing Silkworm Clothes, locking critical acupoints, inner cultivation skill, seeking flawlessness.

This skill has no martial stances. It is divided into two sections, the first being the "Silkworm Clothes" chapter, serving as an auxiliary. The other being the "Inner Cultivation" chapter, which is the essence of this skill.

The so-called Silkworm Clothes refers to certain "specially made ropes," binding the entire body, intricately entwined, densely covered. When wrapped in Silkworm Clothes, it's suddenly called "Silkworm Clothes."

The Madam sat upright, yet inevitably held a touch of seductive beauty.

Currently draped in "Silkworm Clothes," all over her body: knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, even fingers and toes, all meticulously attended to.

All around her body, the silk ropes crossed and intertwined, firmly tied. Exquisitely intricate, immovable. Madam Wen knew she couldn't free herself, so she didn't struggle. Hearing footsteps approaching, she opened her eyes, revealing a rare look of embarrassment.

Li Xian feigned ignorance, a quick glance was all. He asked: "Madam... are you here?"

"It's so late, why did you call me here?"

Her voice echoed.

Moments later, Madam Wen pondered: "Qiuyue betrayed me, this child must be the substitute." She said: "I am here, come over."

Li Xian followed the voice, closing his eyes to avoid revealing any secrets. He cautiously advanced, step by step.

Madam Wen said: "Stop where you are, sit down, and reach out." Li Xian did as instructed, extending his hand, feeling the skin, like touching warm jade, cold and smooth.

Madam Wen had murderous intent, Qiuyue's disappearance was likely betrayal. She was secretly furious, wanting to tear Qiuyue apart to vent her anger. But as Li Xian approached, his scent lingered at her nose, stirring ripples in her heart, Qiuyue's matter slipped from her mind.

Previously sharing the rain, she wasn't embarrassed. Now, with a moment's misstep, she couldn't free herself, against her will. Instead, she felt as if descending into the mortal realm, myriad thoughts rising. During sword practice, a sense of closeness emerged.

Madam Wen maintained a calm demeanor, yet her heart was in another world: "To think, as the grand Lady Zhe Jian, today I would be seen in such a state by a mere youngster. Truly, the world mocks us." Her heart lake rippled, difficult to calm.

Li Xian closed his eyes, casually brushing his hand. He felt the Silkworm Clothes rooting into the flesh, firmly embedded in the body, very tight. No wonder the Madam found it difficult to free herself. Martial artists are also human, rebirth grants longevity, but the essence remains unchanged, living people with feet on the ground and head towards the sky. Any martial artist, if restrained, their strength would be inevitably reduced.

He exclaimed: "Madam, what's... what's going on here? You... how did someone capture you? Who would dare do this to you? I'll kill them."

Madam Wen coughed lightly, the dark night concealing her blushing face.

Madam Wen had thought of many excuses to preserve her dignity. Yet now she stuttered: "I indeed was captured, the thief is nearby."

"The thief will return shortly, my life hangs by a thread, in jeopardy. Will you run, or not? If not, you'll accompany me in death."

Li Xian said: "I'll free you, kill the thief."

"Hmph," Madam Wen said: "With your meager skill, you won't unravel it within the time of an incense stick. By the time you do, we'll both be dead."

"Then I won't run," Li Xian said.

Madam Wen's eyes sparkled, her heart comforted, somewhat pleased, yet also embarrassed: "I permit you to run, escaping now is only human, I won't blame you."

Li Xian did not reply, internally criticizing: "This wicked woman is still testing." Yet unknowingly, with all the tests, there was some truth involved.

If Li Xian fled, she would surely blame him. But if he didn't, the joy couldn't be expressed. Though she possessed captivating beauty, her actions and temperament made everyone her enemy. Though many pursued her, deception and calculation were rampant.

Of course, the Madam was not to be pitied.

"Alright, since you won't run, then accompany me here to await our death," Madam Wen said despairingly, as if somewhat immersed in her role.

Li Xian thought, "Would it be better to say some romantic words now?" Feeling bold, he said, "Being able to accompany Madam in death, I am extremely happy."

"Do you really think so?" Madam Wen asked, her voice slightly trembling.

After waiting a moment, Madam Wen softly said, "Light the lamps all around, there are no thieves here."

The tower was bright again. The flickering flames illuminated clearly. Madam Wen's face turned slightly red, and she said, "You don't need to ask about my current situation."

"Today I will teach you the techniques of 'Wearing Silkworm Clothes' and 'Unwrapping Silkworm Cocoon.' In the future, when I retreat to cultivate, I will need your assistance. Come closer."

Li Xian moved closer, smelling the fragrance of her hair, his heart pounding. He thought to himself this scene was alluring, his first time encountering such in two lifetimes, while others might never encounter even once in a thousand lifetimes. Madam Wen, having regained her calm, said, "This silkworm clothing restricts all the joints of my body. Wrists, knuckles, elbows, all are restrained. You may examine around my body."

"Not only that, but also touch my Spirit Platform Acupoint."

Li Xian accurately located the acupoint, reaching out to touch it, and found that it was indeed wrapped with silk rope. Lightly pressing it, he found a slight roughness. The silk rope was soft and smooth, but the roughness was where the knot was.

The knot was complex, yet it was invisible to the naked eye.

"There are 361 acupoints around my body, many with knots. Because the material of the silk rope is special, these knots are extremely fine, almost invisible to the naked eye. You have mastered Jade Palm, and the Qi Manipulation in the Palm technique is similar to the knots. You..."

"Carry me to that bed, first unravel the knots on the acupoints around my body, then help me take off the silkworm clothing. I will explain the steps to you slowly. Pay attention and remember them well."

"Of course, if you run away now, I can't do anything to you. Just like Qiuyue."

Madam Wen gently said, "If that's the case, I'll just consider myself unfortunate, having misjudged someone, leaving me here to starve, tire, and be trapped to death."

Li Xian shook his head and said, "I won't run, I'm only afraid of offending you."

Their minds were filled with calculations.

"Hmph." Madam Wen said, "You belong to me, how can there be any offense? I won't hide from you, your Setting Sun Bloodsword and my Yin Sword form a Combined Sword Technique. Now you've reached the second level, we must share the rain, and if one day you happen to enter the third level, naturally progressing further, between you and me, how can there be any offense?"

She spoke plainly, treating matters between men and women as though they were ordinary. Yet her Heart Lake rippled, adding a touch of romance.

Not entirely without emotion.

Although there was no wind in the tower, it was not stifling.

On the bed, Madam Wen instructed the "Silk Clothing" method, allowing Li Xian to unravel the acupoints all over her body, inevitably leading to contact during the process. This scene seemed romantic and flirty, and Madam Wen felt her eyes wave with charm.

Usually when Qiuyue helped, there were no such feelings. Madam Wen, up to now, had never been in such a situation. Unconsciously, she leaned against Li Xian's shoulder.

"All of what I did today was seen by him. No matter what, I cannot let him leave. He possesses the Perfect Appearance, talent for the Yang Sword, and is now helping me with the silkworm clothing."

Thinking this, her delicate face turned slightly red: "Looking around the world, there is no one as close to me as him, besides even one other person. Though Xiang Bo is absolutely loyal, he is loyal but not close. Speaking of which... don't I also wish to have someone to accompany me, experiencing the joys of the period?"

"If I cultivate him as a husband, his strength doesn't matter as much, as long as he remains forever loyal and devoted, dedicated to staying by my side and serving me."

Madam Wen felt moved, glanced at Li Xian, and saw his extraordinary and spirited looks. She thought to herself: "His appearance is already perfect, but he still needs more experience, gaining more calmness and demeanor." Seeing his focused work on unraveling the knots, his forehead had beads of sweat, and his cheeks were slightly flushed.

"If you're tired, take a little rest, I'm not in a rush at this moment." Madam Wen said softly.

...

...

[Skill: Unwrapping Silkworm Cocoon]

[Skill Level: 12/500 Beginner]

At midnight.

Li Xian followed Madam Wen out of the tower, Madam Wen dressed in white, graceful and elegant, as if what happened in the tower had already been uncovered.

Li Xian asked, "Madam, about Qiuyue..."

"Little Immortal," Madam Wen said, "You're a smart person, do you think Qiuyue betrayed me and left?"

"I dare not speak recklessly," Li Xian said.

"Just speak freely," Madam Wen said.

Li Xian said, "Perhaps, madam, what do you think?"

"I don't think she did," Madam Wen said, "but to confirm, I still need to ask her personally."

"Do you happen to know where she is?" Li Xian asked.

"Not yet," Madam Wen shook her head, gently raised her hand. Li Xian assisted her from the side, Madam Wen walked towards the bathing room, saying, "In usual days, it was Qiuyue who prepared the medicine bath. Now that she's missing, it's your turn to do it."

"I'll teach you once today, you must remember it well. From the day after tomorrow, you will move into the inner courtyard and live next to my room. If there's anything about Martial Arts that you're unclear about, just knock on my door and ask."

"Why the day after tomorrow?" Li Xian asked.

Madam Wen sighed, teasing him: "Though I say you're smart, sometimes you're foolish. Tomorrow we're going out to inquire about Qiuyue's situation."

"If she has any difficulties, having been my servant for so many years, it's only right to help her. You..."

"New and inexperienced, not understanding many matters. Well, well, I'll teach you slowly. But... if you also sneak away, I won't spare you."

With her fair finger, she lightly touched Li Xian's forehead. Her sweet words like a sword binding the neck.