Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 186 - 182: Talents Clash, Nianjun in the Heart of Beauty
Usually Wang Cheng provokes, Li Xiaofan ignores, but today Wang Cheng’s pointed comments target Li Xian, which greatly angers him.
Li Xian laughed and said, "Whether I can step on this or not, it’s none of your business, right?"
"Naturally none of my business." Wang Cheng lightly shook his folding fan and said, "Just by drinking on the same floor as you, our class is lowered. If you don’t leave, this Zhengxiang Building... I may not come here in the future."
There were several companions behind him. They had gathered for a meeting, originally meant for the third or fourth-floor private rooms. But Wang Cheng, upon seeing Li Xiaofan, Hong Chengbing, and others, deliberately sought to provoke them.
The commotion soon attracted the shopkeeper of the Zhengxiang Building, a middle-aged man named Hu Dazhen.
Liu Shu tugged on Li Xian’s sleeve and said, "Brother Xian, let’s go, we can’t beat them. They’ve always bullied us. If we take a step back, they’ll leave us alone."
Li Xian looked at Hu Dazhen and calmly said, "Shopkeeper, you open doors for business, it’s up to you to decide the rationale of the matter."
Hu Dazhen showed a troubled expression, weighed the situation for a moment, and prioritized peace, saying: 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
"Well then, Young Master Wang, my shop just caught a four-tailed red fish, made into ginseng fish soup; it’s free for you and your friends, how about we leave it at that?"
Wang Cheng replied indifferently, "It seems my face isn’t enough to make Shopkeeper Hu drive you away."
Hu Dazhen let out an awkward laugh, not fond of the self-righteous Wang Cheng either. Wang Cheng said, "Li Xiaofan, don’t you have some meager luck? Why not weigh the logic of this matter?"
The Great Wu Dynasty values both martial arts and culture.
Martial arts can lead to longevity, culture can bring peace to the world.
To weigh logic with culture: when the logic is right, destiny favors; when flawed, destiny obstructs. However, Li Xiaofan’s luck is extremely feeble, and this "scale" is too fragile to bear weight.
"Shopkeeper Hu, since Young Brother Wang doesn’t make the cut, how about me?" A skinny man stepped out, calmly said, "I, Wan Run, feel no appetite upon seeing them. No offense meant, please mediate for me, and settle this matter."
Wan Run crossed his arms and raised his head proudly, "You must’ve heard of my reputation; I, Wan Run, though not talented, recently entered the Hero List, ranked sixty-seventh."
Hu Dazhen’s face changed, weighed the interests in his heart: Wang Cheng, though a wealthy son, lacks cultural luck and has no food essence in martial arts. Hu Dazhen respects his family background but is not afraid of consequences if offended. Wan Run is different, a renowned martial artist holds inherent intimidation. If truly offended, it’s hard to conclude peacefully.
He said, "Since... since that’s the case, there’s no other choice. Friends, sometimes matters of fate are hard to articulate clearly. Please..."
"Hold on." Li Xian said, "Could it be that just being on the Hero List means you can oppress others?"
"Hmph!"
Wan Run, quick-tempered and recognizing his advantage, was annoyed at the perceived defiance. He said aloud:
"I’ll just oppress you, what will you do about it? I’m most annoyed by the saying ’the poor may have ambitions’. Today I’ll not only oppress you, but also crush your spirit."
With that, Wan Run glanced around, picked up peanuts with both hands, and shot them at Li Xian’s knees. Li Xian pinched the peanuts between his fingers, and with a "bang," they shattered into dust.
Wan Run intends to demonstrate skill and power. Winning with fists and feet may suffice but lacks elegance. To incorporate martial arts subtly and display mastery wins praise.
He searched for usable objects and suddenly saw a curtain, walked over, tore it down, wrapped it in his hand, and swung it at Li Xian.
The curtain "crackled" as inner qi transported through it. If wrapped by the curtain, it’d be like taking ten punches instantly.
This skill indeed amazed onlookers: "Is this... Cloak Back Fist! It’s said that those skilled in this technique love wearing wide robes. Fists hidden within sleeves, a swing of the sleeve like hundreds of punches!"
"Impressive, impressive. Wan Run uses the curtain in place of sleeves. It’s even lighter but exerting such power. Already at the Great Success Realm, I’m afraid."
Where the curtain brushed, chopsticks broke, bowls and dishes shattered... Li Xiaofan exclaimed, "Brother, watch out!"
Li Xian sneered, tapped the scabbard lightly, and executed the Daluo Saber Technique. Wan Run said, "Hehe, curtains are soft as water, and held in my hands. How could your sword technique sever it? If you can’t even see through this, it’s really..."
Just then, a "tear" was heard, and the curtain was severed. The curtain’s inner qi clings on, indeed light as water. Li Xian’s sole Daluo Saber Technique, likened to a bull in a quagmire, struggles to counter.
But Li Xian added the Clear Wind Leg principles, making it entirely different. Clear Wind Leg emphasizes light and silent motion. Though the Daluo Saber Technique advocates wide and open moves, Li Xian, mastering both to the peak, can blend them perfectly.
Water, soft; the clear wind, even softer.
Li Xian advanced another step, adding the Four Directions Fist principle. A single sword technique reflected three martial arts shadows at the pinnacle. Suddenly, sword shadows flashed, and no one on the second floor could keep their eyes open.
Wan Run was dumbfounded, coming to his senses, then felt a tightness in his throat, lifted single-handedly by Li Xian.
Li Xian said, "I think you’re mistaken."
"If one truly uses the Hero List to oppress, then I must oppress you a bit."
Wan Run’s face twitched, completely humiliated. He immediately shocked with inner qi and countered with a backhand strike. Li Xian, disappointed, said, "Is this all the strength of a Hero List elite?"
He threw him out of the building. Wan Run gathered inner qi mid-air to slow his fall but found the thrust too heavy to resist, crashing into the ground heavily.
Though landing with the feet in good posture, his leg bones already fractured, making movement difficult. Hard to escape...
Li Xian, holding a teacup, walked onto the terrace, looked down at Wan Run, and sipped tea lightly. He said, "Have some tea!"
Utilizing the Jade Palm’s inner strength, he gently roused it, shattering the teacup into over a hundred fine fragments, which were propelled with the Vertical Cloud Hand. The shards were embedded into Wan Run’s body.
To date, all deployed martial arts have reached the peak! Unfortunately, those present haven’t reached the realm to comprehend its power.
Wan Run’s legs ached terribly, unable to dodge.
Instantly, he became a bloodied figure, although not life-threatening, the shards packed with palm force embedded in his flesh were difficult to extract!
It resulted in severely debilitating wounds. Li Xian calmly sat down, poised and unfazed. The surrounding onlookers were all horrified.
Li Xian said, "Shopkeeper Hu, since Wan Run lacks appetite, I’ve escorted him out. Could you serve us properly now?"
"Good, good..." Hu Dazhen nodded repeatedly, as if awakening from a dream. After a moment, he returned to the right mind and asked, "May I ask... dare I ask the master for his name?"
Li Xian smiled, "What master, surname Li given name Xian, hurry up with the dishes!"
Hu Dazhen immediately headed to the kitchen, pondered over the name "Li Xian". Suddenly his eyes widened, exclaiming, "Evil Captain... Li Xian? Is he the Evil Captain Li Xian?"
Recalling Wan Run’s miserable state, muttered, "The name doesn’t match the face. Born with a jade-like countenance, yet commits ruthless acts."
Wang Cheng fled in terror, but Li Xian wouldn’t let him go. He pinched a peanut, shot it into his pain point, causing him to howl in agony.
Li Xian suddenly paused, realizing his methods becoming increasingly harsh. The trace of a lady’s influence evident.
...
...
A meal’s time.
Alcohol and dishes satisfied.
Li Xian escorted Xiaofan back to the mansion. Just as they left the restaurant, Li Xiaofan called, "Sister Gu! Sister Gu!"
A beautiful woman in purple attire approached gracefully, her brows like paintings, lips red as cherries. Standing there, she was a rare sight.
She was the same age as Li Xian, hence lacking the mature fierceness and voluptuous sensuality of a lady. But in her prime blossoming, her fiery pride within her brows was the most captivating among all the women Li Xian had seen.
Li Xiaofan laughed, "Brother, this is the wife I picked for you, Gu Nianjun!"
"Make sure to seize her. With her by your side, you can walk proudly across Yu Nan Dao!"
