A Face That Draws Peach Blossoms, a Debt Slave's Body, the Carefree School, Wine Elder Passing Down Martial Arts?

Commandery Princess Anyang's four daughters each possess unique skills. Huang Su is an expert painter with a photographic memory, capable of capturing the essence of a subject perfectly. Whenever someone enters the city as an undercover agent, regardless of their status, their face and figure are sketched on paper and stored in a database for future reference.

Several days ago, the undercover agents were gradually led out of the narrow room and sent to the Huang Su's Art Pavilion to have their portraits drawn and their files kept. Huang Su was grinding ink and laying out paper, initially uninterested, when suddenly he looked startled and became dazed.

The people around all turned to look at Li Xian as he removed his mask, revealing his true appearance. They could only say that his appearance was indeed rare. His eyebrows were like swords, his nose like a peak, his eyes deep and mysterious, and his face was like jade, yet he did not lack strength. He was naturally handsome. His temples swayed gently on his forehead, and the mole between his eyebrows added a touch of indescribable uniqueness.

His simple attire only accentuated his carefree spirit. His composure and calm demeanor further enhanced his distinguished bearing. He possessed the characteristics of "Turbidity-Avoidance" and "Pure Yang Body." When he stood among the crowd, it was as if the emperor, seated in his dragon palanquin, was strolling through the streets, glancing at the masses with a moment of boredom. Even the most discerning gaze would linger on him.

Commandery Princess Anyang was slightly taken aback, her gaze lingering for a moment before she said, "She does have a rather nice figure." Her tone was slightly different.

Then he asked, "How old are you?"

Qingyao thought to herself, "I never imagined this man would be so handsome beneath the mask. The Commandery Princess actually asked his age; she must be interested too. Perhaps fate can be reversed."

Li Xian didn't go into details, but cupped his hands and said, "I'm almost twenty." Commandery Princess Anyang said, "Almost twenty, Chu'er, when will you come of age?"

Wei Chu sized up Li Xian, his face expressionless, but his tone was displeased. "Aunt, I'm twenty, the age of coming of age." Commandery Princess Anyang said, "In that case, you're a few years younger than Chu'er."

Li Xian stood respectfully, saying nothing. Commandery Princess Anyang said, "Come closer."

Qingyao gave him a meaningful look, and Li Xian understood, obeying the command and taking a few steps closer. Commandery Princess Anyang observed through the curtain, scrutinizing him for a moment, and thought to herself, "There is such a handsome man in the world. I have met many men in my life, but I think—purely in terms of appearance, they all pale in comparison to him."

Lust is inevitable, and so it arose. Commandery Princess Anyang gradually became interested and asked, "You live in Qingning. What is the feng shui like here?"

Li Xian answered truthfully, "Although I am from Qingning, I would not dare to exaggerate. Qingning is a poor and barren land, with treacherous mountains and treacherous waters, and is extremely remote and impoverished. The feng shui is so-so."

Commandery Princess Anyang said, "You don't understand. Places like this should not be underestimated. As the saying goes, after the worst comes the best, and experts often settle here. This perilous place often harbors unpredictable changes."

Li Xian thought to himself, "This must be what you mean by 'Madam.'" He then said, "Your Commandery Princess has a broad mind and a profound understanding of things, with novel perspectives that are truly admirable. I, on the other hand, have grown up in Qingning, but my observations and experiences have only been superficial."

Commandery Princess Anyang smiled and said, "Of course."

Wei Chu clenched his fists. Just moments ago, Commandery Princess Anyang had been dismissive and indifferent to Li Xian, but now that she had revealed her face, she was suddenly very talkative, even inquiring about matters concerning her hometown. This change in demeanor revealed her judgment of appearance; she was clearly pleased with his looks. Wei Chu secretly compared himself to her, though he prided himself on his handsome appearance and had received many accolades. Yet, in this instance, he felt deeply inferior and couldn't help but feel jealous and resentful. Wei Chu had been in love with his aunt since childhood, and his current arrival was motivated by two reasons: to achieve great things and gain fame, and to keep a close eye on his aunt. Seeing this scene, he was consumed by jealousy, thinking, "Since childhood, I've seen that my aunt is indifferent to men. She has always refused marriage proposals from men of considerable status and position. Yet now she's talking to this man. Who is my aunt? She certainly wouldn't care about such trivial matters. It must be just a passing fancy. Humph, I despise such people, of lowly birth, who dare to dream of marrying into a wealthy family."

He interjected, "Aunt, this person is quite strong despite his young age. Could he be from the Qingning clan?"

Commandery Princess Anyang said, "That's exactly what I was going to ask you about."

Li Xian said, "I come from a hunter's family." Wei Chu said, "How dare you! You dare to lie to my aunt's face?"

Li Xian asked, "How could I lie?" Wei Chu replied, "Since you're a hunter, how did you acquire such cultivation? Qingning is a poor and barren land, with very few capable of raising a cauldron. Even if you were just freeloading, you couldn't have achieved such skill. Could you perhaps be someone sent to harm my aunt?"

Commandery Princess Anyang raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Li Xian with an invisible pressure. Li Xian said, "I once joined the Martial Arts Manor and occasionally received rare Essence Treasure. After several fortuitous encounters, I obtained several Human Yellow Essence Treasure. That's how I achieved this level of skill."

Wei Chu said to the Commandery Princess, "Aunt, this man should not be trusted. I suggest that beating him to death would be the easiest solution."

Li Xian glanced sideways at Wei Chu, thinking, "This kid is petty. I haven't even met him yet, and he's already trying to kill me after just a few words with that Commandery Princess. If things really turn out badly, I'll have no choice but to fight to the death." He remained calm and composed, as still as a deep pool. Having experienced life and death, he had cultivated a magnanimous spirit. When facing life-or-death situations, he was always more composed and at ease than others.

Qingyao observed secretly, feeling a sense of admiration.

Commandery Princess Anyang noticed something amiss. Wei Chu had harbored hostility towards the men around her since childhood. She quite liked this nephew; he was handsome and talented. Recalling how he used to tug at her skirt and follow her around, she smiled helplessly, "It seems my nephew is worried about his aunt. It's alright, you know what kind of methods I have. What kind of trouble could this boy cause under my control? But since you have this intention, I'm already happy."

Wei Chu blushed and said, "Aunt, anyway—anyway, I really dislike this person. If he stays by your side, I—I—will be unhappy."

Commandery Princess Anyang thought to herself, "Chu'er has come from afar to help me; what harm is there in going along with his wishes?" She gazed at Li Xian for a moment, her gaze lingering on his face. She had indeed been struck by his appearance upon first seeing him, and considered keeping him in the Commandery Princess's residence to await further arrangements. However, given her high position and power, she wouldn't prioritize looks above all else. Comparing the two, her nephew, with both talent and beauty, was far more worthy of protection. She said, "Since my nephew dislikes him, then so be it. But to have him beaten to death would be a pity. Qingyao, take him away and make the necessary arrangements."

Qingyao said, "Yes!" and led Li Xian out of the hall. She could vaguely hear the conversation.

Wei Chu asked, "What does Aunt intend to do with him?" Commandery Princess Anyang casually replied, "Since you don't like him, just continue sending him to infiltrate Jade City. Since he boasted that he could become the Silver-Faced Lang in three years, then fine, I'll see if he really has that ability. If not, then according to what he said before, execute him by slow slicing."

Wei Chu said, "If Auntie gives her full help, even a pig can improve very quickly."

Commandery Princess Anyang said, "This boy's origins are unknown, and I will not help him. My dear nephew, if I were to help anyone, it would be a member of the Wei Family. Let's not talk about this person anymore. We haven't seen each other for a long time, so let's go have some tea with your aunt."

Stepping out of the hall, Qingyao walked lightly ahead, her green skirt swaying, leaving behind a fragrant breeze. Li Xian followed closely behind.

Qingyao suddenly sighed, "What a pity."

Li Xian asked, "Sister Qing, why did you sigh? And what is it that you regret?" Qingyao turned around and looked at him, saying, "This slight difference is the difference between heaven and earth. You don't know how your fate just now rose and fell so suddenly. It's a pity—"

Li Xian said, "It's a pity that things have plummeted now?" Qingyao walked slowly, nodded, and said, "You're quite clever."

After walking several miles from the main hall, they came to a lush bamboo forest with a gravel path on the ground. The night was cool and refreshing, and the fragrance of grass and trees filled the air. Li Xian had just been in mortal danger, and he secretly remembered this grudge, but did not show it on his face.

Li Xian casually plucked a bamboo leaf, toying with it, and asked, "Sister Qing, what is this 'start' all about?" Qingyao replied, "What's the use of telling me? The opportunity is lost. Even if you knew, it would only add to your regret.

Li Xian laughed and said, "Sister Qing, you underestimate me. Speak freely, do you think I would burst into tears?"

Qingyao was perceptive, and Commandery Princess Anyang often consulted Qingyao's opinions when selecting talent. Recalling the scene in the palace, she knew that Li Xian was indeed extraordinary, and his demeanor was extremely difficult to fake. She said, "Since you want to hear it, you may speak. Just now, the Commandery Princess was curious about you because of your appearance."

"I dare not comment on the Commandery Princess's affairs, but if luck is on your side now, and you manage to win Commandery Princess favor, you might be able to get a minor post by her side and enter the Commandery Princess's residence. Your future prospects will depend on your abilities, but they are certainly not insignificant."

Li Xian thought to himself, "If I could get a minor job, I might have more opportunities to escape. That wouldn't be a problem. Even if I infiltrate Jade City, would I really obey her orders and lie in wait for her? I'm not that stupid. I'll just find a better opportunity to escape later." He said dismissively, "That would be a real pity."

Qingyao said, "I'm not talking about living in luxury, but being respected and having a clean lifestyle is easy. If you have some ability and try your best to acquire more, it might be a way to find a place to live in chaotic times."

Seeing Li Xian's calm and unconcerned expression, Qingyao said, "You really are calm."

Li Xian said, "What's done is done, what can be done now? Sister Qing, what exactly does my 'fall' refer to?"

Qingyao said, "We should continue to infiltrate Jade City. This journey is not only dangerous, but the chances of survival are extremely slim!"

Li Xian asked, "Please explain, Sister Qing." Qingyao replied, "It's like the undercover agents from a few days ago. They infiltrated Jade City through various channels, but most of them are Common Citizen with no Bodyless or background." These Common Citizen have extremely low status, needing to beg for food to survive, and are barely clothed. Among hundreds of Common Citizen, only one or two can obtain the status of a commoner, a "Jade Citizen."

Li Xian thought to himself, "Although my status is low, I can first infiltrate Jade City and then slowly make my move." Qingyao said, "But you are different—"

Li Xian asked, "What's different?"

Qingyao said, "Your martial arts skills are quite good; you should be at the initial stage of the Second Realm. Someone like you, blending into the Common Citizen, will be quickly detected. Therefore—you will enter Jade City as a debt slave."

Li Xian frowned slightly, listening attentively. Qingyao said, "The so-called debt slaves are those who owe debts to Jade City and have not repaid them for a long time."

The debt of Jade City remains even after death. Sons repay it, fathers repay it, mothers repay it.

"Your identity has been set up. Qingning Li Xian, repay your brother's debt of 14,000 taels of silver owed to Jade City, which has been outstanding for four years."

Li Xian frowned and said, "Wait—if you're in debt, why so much?" Qingyao said, "This IOU is genuine, Jade City IOU; no one can forge it. You previously said you'd serve as the Silver-Faced Lang for three years in exchange for your life. But the Commandery Princess —is she easily fooled? She bestowed this IOU. Fourteen thousand taels of silver is no small sum—"

Qingyao said, "Now you should understand why I said fate is unpredictable. And for someone burdened by debt, fate is even harder to control. You—you'd better watch yourself!"

The two walked through a bamboo forest and then through a peach blossom grove. This was Dragon Court Prefecture; a mansion within Lan River Prefecture. Commandery Princess Anyang was only temporarily residing here, but the mansion was maintained and cleaned year-round. The flowers, trees, and garden scenery were in excellent condition.

Li Xian said, "Very well, since this is fate, then we can only accept it."

After walking a short while, they arrived at a document archive. Qingyao placed Li Xian's portrait and information into a wooden box. Then she handed over an IOU, which read, "On what date, I owe Jade City 14,000 taels of silver for gambling on jade."

Then, a brocade pouch was handed over, containing a jade bottle. It was said, "The elixir in this bottle will keep you from succumbing to the poison for six months. After six months—if you are still alive—you will need to seek the Poison Pill from the Wonderful Herb Hall. Wonderful Herb Hall will distribute the Poison Pill from various places using different methods. But—ultimately, you must live for more than six months before we can discuss anything else."

Qingyao said sympathetically, "It's all about timing and luck; no one can say for sure." She suddenly thought of Wei Chu, who was also an undercover agent. Although that young master started as Mud-Faced Fellow, with his wealth and connections, he was bound to rise to great heights. Li Xian, on the other hand, had to climb up from the bottom.

Li Xian accepted the IOU, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said nonchalantly, "Regardless of anything, Sister Qing, thank you for your words today! Though the road ahead may be bumpy and my fate uncertain, whatever the outcome, I will persevere to the very end."

Qingyao thought to herself, "This boy has such a temperament and such a demeanor. If he hadn't suffered this misfortune and hadn't met the Commandery Princess, he would surely have achieved great things." She sighed deeply, wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

She said, "Come with me."

With graceful steps, she walked through a long corridor to a riverbank. It was a long, dark night, and the moonlight was pale. Qingyao pointed to the riverbank and said, "In half an hour, a prison boat will arrive. Once you're on it, good luck to you."

Qingyao said, "Don't even think about running away. The Commandery Princess has already given the order. If you try to run now, you will be captured on the spot and subjected to the most severe punishment."

After speaking, he stood quietly. Li Xian looked around and saw that the layout was ingenious, Qingyao's strength was unpredictable, and Huang Su, Hong Luo, and others were secretly watching. The Commandery Princess Anyang was very powerful, and there were many experts under his command. It would be impossible to escape.

He composed himself, picked up pebbles from the ground, and skipped them across the river to pass the time. About half an hour later, a dark prison boat slowly approached, with an old man sitting at the bow, and the boat moved very quickly.

Qingyao whispered in the old man's ear, explaining the situation. The old man nodded and looked over, then suddenly leaped up and slipped a jade bracelet onto Li Xian's left wrist. Engraved on it were the words: Fourteen Thousand Taels.

The old man was extremely skilled in sealing techniques. He probed with two fingers simultaneously, striking Li Xian's shoulders, back, and other points. Qingyao said, "This is the Eighteen Jade City Strikes. Each place has its own unique martial arts. Jade City is particularly adept at sealing acupoints and locking martial arts. These Eighteen Jade City Strikes can disrupt a person's martial arts and Art Path, making them difficult to use. They can also dislocate a person's bones, causing unbearable pain. I see you're quite sensible, so I told the boatman not to intimidate you. But after boarding the boat, you'd better behave yourself. Otherwise, if the boatman teaches you another lesson, you'll suffer the consequences. This boatman is no weakling; he's called ' The Ferryman.' If you're lucky, you might get a leisurely job, which will at least allow you to live comfortably for half a year."

Qingyao watched Li Xian board the boat, and then watched Boat Guild away into the distance.

Qingyao came from a poor family, and her current situation was due to a fortuitous opportunity of coincidences. Therefore, she felt quite sympathetic towards Li Xian. Seeing the promising young man enter Jade City — Jade City was extremely prosperous, but also a vicious city that devoured people.

They squeezed the marrow from the bones, leaving nothing behind.

This place is still some distance from Jade City.

The prison ship was forged from black iron, impervious to fire, water, and blades. It contained cells of varying sizes. Li Xian was placed in a narrow cell and shackled with his feet and hands. He tried to break free, but they were very strong and made a loud noise.

Li Xian thought to himself, "I've been Eighteen Jade City Strikes, and my martial arts and Art Path are all in disarray. It seems that Commandery Princess Anyang's arrangements are meticulous, leaving little room for maneuver. Now that I'm on the prison ship, barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'll surely reach Jade City directly. Oh well, although this situation is precarious, there's still hope. But—this test will be extremely difficult. Entering Jade City will certainly test my vision, my ability to seize opportunities, and my choices even more—"

Through the prison window, Li Xian saw the boat swaying gently in the vast river, its destination unknown, and the future uncertain and perilous. He calmed himself, reflecting on his many past experiences, which seemed to have been largely beyond his control. Yet he did not complain, firmly believing that only strength could overcome everything.

"I started as a hunter in the mountains, and danger has always accompanied my encounters. Although I was forced into this situation, I had always wanted to enter Jade City to gain experience. It can be considered that I have followed the Unseen."

He smiled nonchalantly to himself.

The cell reeked of foul stench. There was yellow filth on the bed, suggesting that some martial artist, captured by Jade City and imprisoned here, was so remorseful and frightened that he defecated and urinated, thus soiling the place.

He exhaled a breath of fresh air, carrying away the filth. Li Xian sat cross-legged, silently sorting out his situation after recent events, and contemplating his future decisions. Li Xian knew he had no power or influence, making it extremely difficult to go against the tide; it was better to leverage existing power. Li Xian thought, "The Silver-Faced Lang will certainly face immense difficulties. I started as a debt slave, owing 14,000 taels. After repaying the debt, I can barely be considered a commoner. After becoming a commoner—I will be extremely far from becoming the Silver-Faced Lang. Commandery Princess Anyang has considerable power in Jade City, and over the years she has planted countless spies. Outside Jade City, there is also the Wolfhead Army —numerous personal guards, and experts like Qingyao."

"It's not good to publicly defy her in the short term. She might not even notice me. But if she does, I can only feign compliance and gradually find a way to resolve the situation. Fortunately, I'm not without advantages. The Ghost Doctor's medical skills will be my greatest asset!"

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but curse Zhao Zairan. Li Xian leaned against the prison cell, his situation precarious, but he remained carefree and optimistic, having completely cast aside his worries. Instead, he became curious about the grand spectacle of Jade City.

Suddenly, someone shouted from the side, "Kid, you're something else!"

A strong smell of alcohol wafted over. Li Xian turned his head and saw an old man lying in the deepest cell on the left, dressed in tattered clothes. He had gray hair, a bulbous nose, a hunchback, and a limp. He was lying on his side on the bed, holding a red gourd in one hand.

He took a big gulp, let out a loud burp, patted his stomach, and said with a grin, "Aren't you afraid?" He then reached out to scratch his buttocks, rubbed his armpits, and flicked a few black pills at him.

Li Xian smiled and said, "I think you seem more at ease, as if you're taking a leisurely stroll."

The Wine Elder sat up straight and said, "Hey, you're absolutely right. You said life is just a leisurely stroll."

Li Xian nodded and said, "That makes sense, I think so too." The Wine Elder clapped his hands and cheered, saying, "I say, you lad, you have a certain air the Unseen you that I possess."

"In that case, we hit it off immediately. You've paid off my debt, and I'll teach you a peerless martial art. What do you say?"

Li Xian asked suspiciously, "Peerless martial arts? What kind of martial arts?" The Wine Elder said, "Hehe, this martial arts is called 'Drunken Carefree Journey '! If you learn this skill, there is nowhere in the world you cannot go."

Li Xian asked, "How much debt do you owe, senior?"

The Wine Elder showed off a jade bracelet, on which was engraved the words: 4,919,800 taels of silver.

Li Xian coughed lightly and quickly said, "This junior is powerless to help; may you have good fortune, senior." He had never seen so much silver in his entire life. The Wine Elder said, "Two techniques! How about two martial arts techniques?"

Li Xian said, "I'm sorry, my abilities are indeed limited." The Wine Elder said, "Good lad, let me tell you, I'm not looking for someone to share my debt. It's just that I see you're a good match and want to teach you martial arts. As for sharing the debt—that's just giving you a chance to show my respect to this old man. How about this, three martial arts techniques!"

"Let me tell you, these three martial arts are the 'Startling Rainbow Sword,' 'Wandering Wine with the Unseen,' and ' Divine Drinking Art.' These three martial arts form a school, resonating with each other in the unseen realm. Once unleashed, oh my, it truly shakes the entire world! Even the Old Dragon will turn his head in awe, iron trees will bloom, something will appear out of nowhere, and it will all gurgle and gurgle. A genuine school of martial arts!"

"Its value far exceeds what these gold and silver items can compare to. Kid, you'd better think this through."

The Wine Elder was beaming with delight.

Suddenly a voice rang out. "Kid, you don't actually believe this old ghost, do you?"

In the cell opposite Li Xian, there was a burly man with a full beard, breathing heavily, and seemingly skilled in martial arts. To his left was a thin man with disheveled long hair, sunken cheeks, and was quite ugly. To his right was a beautiful woman.

Their conversation had already woken up the other guests.

The one who had spoken just now was a burly man. He slowly opened his eyes and said, "This old devil must be a gambler to owe so much money. If you actually believe what such a gambler says—you'd be incredibly stupid."

The Wine Elder flushed red, and he cursed, "You—you—you're spouting nonsense!" He turned to Li Xian and grinned, "Kid, don't believe them. They're just jealous of you. They only passed on this divine skill to you and not to them. Hehe, this divine skill of mine is very selective. When it's used, it's incredibly elegant and graceful!" He had a sly smile on his face.

The gaunt man said, "Heh, full of flaws. You just mentioned the Carefree School. I, Xiao, dare not claim to be particularly powerful, but I have been to White Emperor City, Jade City, and traveled to many places, yet I have never heard of such a school. Even if it exists, it is likely just self-promotion."

"Furthermore, you just displayed the ' Startling Rainbow Sword,' but I didn't see you carrying a sword. Those skilled in swordsmanship don't carry swords with them."

I'm afraid you're just making this up.

"That so-called 'Divine Drinking Art' is utter nonsense. How could such a bizarre martial art exist in this world? Is it specifically designed to teach people how to drink?"

Upon hearing this, all the prisoners in the cell burst into laughter, saying, "This Divine Drinking Art, I've known it since I was born!"

"Hey young man, how about you help me with my debts? I'll teach you." "I know it too, I know it too. I even know the Soul-Scattering Hand, hehe, young man, do you have any women? Have you ever tasted a woman's flavor? Learn my move, and I guarantee she'll be completely defeated." "I know the Heaven-Shrouding Stench Art, everyone watch—pfft—pfft—"

The crowd teased each other, making crude jokes or using farts to represent their mouths and release foul odors.

The Wine Elder, annoyed, tried to explain, but finally gave up, saying repeatedly, "I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore." Suffocated, he sat back on the bed, took a sip of fine wine, rubbed his nose, and his expression became relaxed and leisurely again, nodding and swaying his head.

Li Xian listened to many jokes, but remained clear-headed. He had a keen eye and noticed that the Wine Elder had a carefree attitude towards life. Ordinary gamblers and drunkards rarely had such a carefree attitude. He sensed that the Wine Elder was indeed different, but he didn't know if what he said was true or false, and dared not hope for anything more. He said, "Senior, I can barely protect myself now. Your debts are too great; I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to share them."

"But after I've secured my own safety, I might try to help you. I wonder if that promise will still be valid then?"

The Wine Elder suddenly turned over, his sharp eyes fixed on Li Xian. A glint of unexpected glint flashed in his eyes; he had only spoken casually, yet received such a reply. He then chuckled and said, "Hehe, you'll have to pay it off for me first."

Having said that, he stuck out his rear end and let out a loud, drunken fart towards the group that had been teasing and joking with him. The smell of murky liquor mixed with the odor of beef...

The smells of chives and braised eggs were extremely unpleasant at first.

(p: Little Li is about to begin his road to revenge. Commandery Princess Anyang is in for a rough time.)