Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 234 - 225: Lady at a Loss, The Four Heroes’ Deadly Plot
So it was...
Ma Zhongguang was a Gu Master from the Southern Border, highly skilled in manipulating Gu. He rarely spoke, not because of a cold temperament, but because his throat nurtured a Gu worm, making speech impossible.
When he spoke, his throat could barely make a sound. He needed to use Inner Qi to stimulate the Gu, causing it to vibrate its wings and produce sounds resembling human speech.
As early as on the Dragon Ship, he secretly set things in motion, preparing for future tracking. After the Dragon Appreciation Banquet, Ma Zhongguang sought out Wen Caishang’s whereabouts.
Lately, Wen Caishang traveled openly, her whereabouts unhidden. Ma Zhongguang quickly found her. During their recent conversation, Wen Caishang deliberately remained vigilant, giving Ma Zhongguang no chance to deploy his Gu.
Who could have anticipated that Wen Caishang would strike first, ruthlessly and decisively, with unpredictable means, surpassing his expectations. Caught off guard, his fate was sealed.
Yet Ma Zhongguang, an experienced hand in the Jianghu, had his own unique skills. He pieced together a formula, comprehending "Magic Dao·Curse," and carried the Treasure Gu·Qi-Eating Gu.
In desperation, he used his life to cast a curse, deploying the Gu at the cost of his life. Wen Caishang, though knowledgeable, was also cautious. However, among countless paths in the world, how could one guard against them all?
Had she not struck him, merely driving Ma Zhongguang away, she would not have been afflicted by the Treasure Gu. But Ma Zhongguang’s dying counterattack was extremely formidable.
Wen Caishang’s face turned pale, no longer composed, struggling to dispel the Gu worm. Yet, how could it be easy? The harder she worked to repel it, the tighter the Gu clung, consuming more of her Inner Qi.
Li Xian asked, "Madam, what’s wrong?"
Wen Caishang suppressed the loss of Inner Qi, forcing herself to remain calm, thinking, "This old scoundrel used his life to trap me, utterly hateful. If not for the fear of Gu Skill, how could I let him die so easily! In my current state, once my Inner Qi is depleted, won’t I be at a huge disadvantage? Although Li Xian was loyal before, people’s hearts change. If he knew my Inner Qi was exhausted, frightened by the enemy’s strength, and fled to save himself, what then?"
She couldn’t help but be on guard, casting a furtive glance at Li Xian.
She smiled and said, "That old man lacks skill, so how can he harm me? Little Immortal, help me into the carriage."
Li Xian said, "Alright." He supported Wen Cai Shang as she got up and slowly boarded the carriage. Her posture felt different, lacking the light grace of before, like a fairy descending to earth.
Closing the curtain, Li Xian was about to leave the carriage. Wen Cai Shang frowned and asked, "Where are you going?!"
Li Xian replied, "I’m going to deal with that corpse and fetch some water."
Wen Caishang, realizing her loss of composure, softened her expression: "That old fool is full of Gu, first drive the carriage far away. Use an arrow to ignite him and burn him."
Li Xian did as instructed. Shooting from afar, he ignited the corpse without being affected by the Gu worm. The carriage moved along the official road. Inside, Wen Caishang’s beautiful eyes lowered, "This rare Gu, the Qi-Eating Gu, is extremely rare. It clings to the Qi Lake, consuming one’s Inner Qi. It’s rumored that in seven days, it will drain a person’s Inner Qi, then attach itself to the lake. Once Inner Qi begins to regenerate, it immediately drinks it dry!"
"That old scoundrel... truly let him die too easily!"
Despite her efforts, they proved futile. Wen Caishang felt a chill in her heart, her hair standing on end, her face ghastly pale. In her agitation, she pulled back the curtain and saw the mountain scenery sliding past the window, the spring breeze feeling icy...
Though she remained composed, worry started to show in her eyes. She knew an unseen force was at work, making this journey exceedingly perilous. She could no longer be certain of returning safely.
Her experience in Jianghu and knowledge were vast. But such a dire situation was her first encounter.
...
...
On the other side.
In an inn within the city. A superior guest room with about ten people in it.
Sword-Seeking Alliance. The three sects of Taixin Sect, Sword Rain Tower, and Yellow Sand Sect gathered, discussing and negotiating.
Xi Kairen from Sword Rain Tower said, "Taixin Four Heroes, I know you’re men of great valor, but a few days ago, you claimed to have severely injured the demoness. Now, whether she is injured or not I don’t know, but she seems to be getting even more brazen. How do you explain this?"
The Taixin Four looked embarrassed. Tiger, forcing himself, said, "That demoness is just a paper tiger."
The elder of the Yellow Sand Sect, named Zhao Zhiyuan, was narrow-faced with a sharp mouth, thin eyebrows, and small eyes, he chuckled, "Is she really a paper tiger, or is someone just blowing hot air? Hard to say."
Dog angrily retorted, "What do you mean!?"
Zhao Zhiyuan said, "Sorry, no offense meant. I hope you’ll forgive me, miss."
Dog moved to strike. Zhao Zhiyuan dodged gracefully, while Dog, with reddened eyes, was about to make a lethal move. Deer shrugged his shoulder, and an empty sleeve swung out, entangling Dog.
Dog had had his manhood severed by Wen Caishang and he especially hated being called a "miss" or a "eunuch." Zhao Zhiyuan’s words hit his reverse scale, causing great anger.
The Taixin Four, with their own losses, united in shared enmity, said, "If Brother Zhao thinks little of us, just say so. We can have a match, none of this sarcastic nonsense that’s so annoying."
Zhao Zhiyuan laughed, "I was just speaking off the cuff, absolutely no disrespect intended, no need to get angry."
The four reluctantly let it go, casting a cold glance toward Zhao Zhiyuan. Su Qiuyu from Sword Rain Tower said, "Everyone, let’s not get worked up, because the pressing matter is to find a way to deal with that witch."
Silence fell. Zhao Zhiyuan said, "Though it’s hard to admit, that witch’s strategy and martial arts are above ours. How do we deal with her? Without a good plan, she’ll slip away again."
All felt a growing anxiety.
Su Qiuyu said, "I have a brilliant plan." He looked at the Taixin Four and said, "The Taixin Four Heroes are exceptional individuals, perfecting the martial art of unity with beast, extremely formidable. If you could wound Wen Caishang once, I’m sure you can wound her again."
The faces of the Taixin Four changed. Deer said, "Although that’s true, the situation was not glorious. The four of us only barely managed to wound her, and attacking one person all together, even if victorious, tarnishes a man’s chivalry."
"That’s not the way to put it," Zhao Zhiyuan said. "That witch is ruthless, in a life-and-death vendetta, who cares about numbers or Jianghu ethics, or whether it’s glorious or not."
Su Qiuyu said, "I, Su, admit my inferiority. I am impressed, truly impressed."
The Tiger, Python, and Dog slightly nodded, feeling rather pleased. Su Qiuyu continued, "Since the four of you can wound her once, then wounding her a second time must also be justified."
The dagger reveals itself in the picture.
The Four Heroes’ expressions changed. The Deer hurriedly said, "Brother Su overestimates us. Even though we grievously wounded the demon woman, we too were severely injured and have yet to recover. Cough, cough..."
The Four Heroes all feigned coughing, trying to make it believable, even secretly using Inner Qi to cough up blood.
Su Qiuyu secretly sneered, thinking, "The rumor of Wen Caishang’s injury was spread by me. With her Swordsmanship, it’s just wishful thinking for you four crippled beasts to harm her. Very well, very well, you boast grandly, and I’ll go along with it, sending you to your deaths."
He said, "I see. The four of you are injured and thus did not continue to stop and kill the demon woman."
The Taixin Four Heroes took the opportunity to say, "Naturally, if our injuries were fully healed, the four of us would naturally take action again and capture that wicked woman alive."
"The Four Heroes’ reputation precedes you, indeed not empty talk!" Zhao Zhiyuan praised.
The four angrily glared at him, feeling outraged upon hearing Zhao Zhiyuan’s voice. Su Qiuyu said, "Since the Four Heroes have such righteousness, it would be unreasonable for me, Su, to be stingy!"
From Sword Rain Tower, Xi Kairen took out a Treasure Box, gently opened it, and a fragrant aroma wafted out. Inside were four ginseng roots.
Su Qiuyu said, "My Sword Rain Tower deals in sword forging and ginseng trading. I have four ’Human King Ginseng’, a treasure for healing internal injuries."
"Though it belongs to the category of mundane items, its value is indescribable. Please, take them to heal your internal injuries, and then once again severely injure that demon woman!"
"This..." The Taixin Four Heroes were in a dilemma.
Zhao Zhiyuan laughed, "Could it be that what I said is true, that you four are boasting? If this is true, it’s understandable. After all, in Jianghu, face is everything. The more you lack face, inevitably..."
The Taixin Four Heroes were extremely angry, all thinking, "The four of us are crippled, and not just in Jianghu, even in the sects, we are often talked about and secretly ridiculed behind our backs. If we are proven to be bragging, won’t our reputation be utterly ruined? At that time, who will remember that we are the Taixin Four Heroes? Who will bring up our past glory?"
"It seems that the name of the Four Beasts will accompany us for life. Rather than that, we might as well grit our teeth and accept it. Even if we die, hitting Wen Caishang with a palm or a leg won’t look too bad."
Having thought this far, the Four Heroes said, "Fine! We will accept this Human King Ginseng, and we’ll show you how the four of us capture the wicked woman alive!"
After taking the Human King Ginseng, Su Qiuyu said, "The Four Heroes can rest assured, my Sword Rain Tower will fully support you. On that day, we will definitely help you!"
Zhao Zhiyuan said, "My Yellow Sand Sect will do the same."
"Good!" The Taixin Four Heroes said, "Farewell!"
After everyone dispersed, Sword Rain Tower’s Xi Kairen, Su Qiuyu, and Qian Jingpeng looked at each other and laughed together.
Xi Kairen said, "Brother Su, this plan is clever. Let those Taixin Four Beasts deal with Wen Caishang."
Qian Jingpeng said, "Once they fight with all their might and are exhausted, we’ll take action to capture and kill!"
Su Qiuyu laughed, "Wrong, wrong. We will not be going to assist!"
Xi Kairen and Qian Jingpeng asked in surprise, "Why not? Wouldn’t an encirclement to kill the wicked woman be excellent?"
Su Qiuyu said, "Are you two dense? Don’t we both know whether that wicked woman is injured? With her strength, even if we all go up against her, can we be sure of taking her down? What if we lose our lives?"
Xi Kairen said, "Then..."
Su Qiuyu gently stroked his beard and said, "First let the Taixin Four Heroes fight to the death. Whether they die or get injured. We will slowly maneuver and, while doing so, increase our manpower and mobilize sect resources. The most crucial point is not to let other sects take advantage easily."
Xi Kairen and Qian Jingpeng found the reasoning very sensible and did not argue further.
Zhao Zhiyuan of the Yellow Sand Sect had similar thoughts.
"Assist? Forget it, at that time find a reason to arrive late. Whether they die or get injured, it’s none of Yellow Sand Sect’s business. We already have clues on Wen Caishang, let’s just deal with her slowly."
"Have my Yellow Sand Sect sweat and bleed, only for other sects to take the credit, such a foolish thing, we will not do. There are still some sects who haven’t taken action yet!"
Even though the Five Major Sects of the Sword-Seeking Alliance are determined to capture and kill Wen Caishang, there is much scheming and calculation among them.
The Taixin Four Heroes have been crippled for over a decade, their minds are sensitive and they value reputation highly. Being constrained by renown, they are unable to focus on anything else. The Deer, being the cleverest among the four, vaguely sensed the underlying schemes but had no solution.
They had no choice but to consume the medicinal ginseng and fight to the death.
...
...
On the mountain path.
Ahead there was a fork in the path, one leading into the mountains, the other into a big city.
Li Xian asked, "Madam, which path should we take?"
Wen Caishang had been thinking for a long time and had not responded. This decision was crucial.
"If we enter the city, it will surely lead to an encirclement and attack. My Inner Qi is dispersing and won’t last much longer. Fighting will only accelerate the depletion. If we hide in the wilderness... we may evade pursuit for a time, but they will never give up on hunting us down..."
