Freedom and Pleasure, Jade City's True Face, Against the Current, Plotting Advancement

The person in charge of the Deathwish Valley was named Peng Wei. He was middle-aged, short in stature, with thick hands and thin legs, long eyes and a narrow face, a high nose bridge, and a slightly raised forehead. He was neither ugly nor handsome, but he always greeted people with a smile.

When Li Xian was freed from his debtor status and repaid his debts, he was invited by "Peng Wei" to a Wooden Lodge for a detailed discussion. Peng Wei gave him a piece of parchment, which was made of the hide of a strange animal. Once it was written on, it could not be changed.

He said, "Brother Kui, no—I should call you Brother Li now. I have witnessed your abilities. Don't be fooled by my superior cultivation and martial arts; if I were to enter the Deathwish Valley, I would be no match for your ferocity. Three hundred consecutive victories in a short period show that you were born for the Deathwish Valley Deathwish Valley. Your skills, martial arts, awareness, and experience will shine brightly there. Now that your debts are cleared and you are free again, there are still two paths before you. You must consider them carefully."

"Write down your vision, then continue the fight. Once you've fought enough battles and achieved your grand vision, you can rise to the top in one step—be it immense wealth, rare treasures, saving lives, seeking aid, or promotion. You've already won three hundred battles; Deathwish Valley be your home by now. This path is the right one for you! It's not impossible that you'll one day be on equal footing with me!"

His expression was excited, his tone impassioned and passionate, as if he genuinely cared for Li Xian. Then, feigning a sigh, he said, "Perhaps we should cease our efforts and retire. The renowned ' Guilt Sword of Shame,' which once shook the Deathwish Valley of Death, will vanish forever. We've lost our fighting spirit and our ambition. We're content to remain mediocre, with no way out."

Li Xian sneered inwardly, "That sounds nice. Let me write down my vision, and you can all judge it. Then you'll force me to win a thousand matches..."

"Ten thousand battles—you ask me to fight for ten or even decades, but what then? You who hold power and influence, deceive and cheat people with ease. Besides—even if your Deathwish Valley could truly grant wishes, I wouldn't risk my life for it. Right now—drinking, sleeping soundly, and traveling freely are what I desire."

His mind was clear. "Moreover, my vision can be achieved through hard work. While a deadly struggle is simple and brutal, I am tired of it and no longer wish to engage in endless fighting."

He immediately declined. Peng Wei felt it was a great pity, but did not insist on keeping him. He sent a servant to settle the debt and send Li Xian out of the valley. Li Xian had won 324 matches, and after counting the odds and ends of gold leaf and silver rewards, he had enough to pay off the debt and interest, and still had forty taels of silver left.

The black door swung open.

The sun was shining brightly at noon, and when Li Xian walked out of the "Valley of Wishes for Death", the fragrance of all natural things hit his face. He saw bright flowers and grass, vigorous trees, birds and animals playing, and water and dew clinging to them. Every time he entered and exited, it was like being reborn after another life, and he was filled with endless emotions.

His eyes were resolute, and his long hair was held in place by a wooden crown. Two strands of hair fell loosely on either side of his forehead, and the "Guilt Sword" mask was still on his face. Having gone through this baptism, Li Xian was no longer the same.

Counting the years--

In the Great Yu Dynasty, men reached adulthood at eighteen. Li Xian was nearly eighteen, though not yet eighteen, when Wen Caishang ceremonially presented him with a cap and told him he had reached adulthood and was ready to marry and start a family. In the Great Martial Dynasty, most men reached adulthood at twenty, while some Lineage did so at twenty-five. Because martial artists have long lifespans, the age of adulthood was naturally delayed.

Li Xian has experienced many perilous events throughout his life. This time in "Deathwish Valley" can truly be called a "coming-of-age ceremony". He has gone through bloody battles, cage fights, and being surrounded by a group of disciples. His temperament has gradually changed. His ambition and sharpness have not diminished, but they have become more profound and decisive in killing.

Li Xian pondered, "Three hundred bloody battles, yet they still couldn't kill me. The Deathwish Valley is for the dead to enter. Though I emerge from the valley still alone, it's as if I've been forged in fierce fire; my combat experience, judgment of the enemy, and timing have all improved."

My martial arts application—however, has greatly improved, yielding substantial gains. All of this is key to defeating the strong with the weak and suppressing the weak with the strong. In these past few months, my martial arts skills haven't actually improved at all, but if I were to compete with myself three months ago... Three months ago...

But it's as naive as a child's.

They quickly left the Deathwish Valley.

The forest path is secluded and overgrown with weeds. In the distance lies the "Jade Road," a long path paved with jade. Traveling on this road by carriage is as swift as Riding the Wind or treading on waves. However, only those with the right "body" and "face" are qualified to set foot on it.

Li Xian has already removed the "Cage Bracelet," thus belonging to the "Jade City; Common Citizen." Although his status is low, he can travel without hindrance. Along the way, he encountered patrolling soldiers several times, who merely questioned him routinely, their tone unfriendly, but did not obstruct him.

Wild grass and overgrown paths have their own charm; chop vines and cut through weeds.

Li Xian was relieved of his heavy burden and could rest for a while. Feeling light and cheerful, everything in his eyes seemed vivid and endearing.

As we strolled along, taking in the sights, we were deeply impressed by the beauty of Jade City, with its rolling mountains and breathtaking scenery, truly a place blessed by nature.

I couldn't help but remark. "The scenery of heaven and earth is truly a reflection of the heart. The scenery never changes, but different moods lead to different perceptions. When I feel the beauty of the scenery and the beauty of the objects, it is truly because my mood is beautiful."

Li Xian saw a stream and his water bag was empty. He filled it with water, drank it down in one gulp, and felt the coolness flow into his stomach before continuing along the stream.

Unbeknownst to them, they had returned to the side of the former "Jade Pillar Mountain" and suddenly encountered four people: "Zhang Cun", "Yue Fanluo", "Wang Shan" and "Liang Huohuo". It turned out that it was evening and Zhang Cun and the others had just come out of the mine to fetch water from the nearby stream.

Li Xian removed his mask and waved in greeting. Zhang Cun and the others returned the greeting with smiles, their eyes full of doubt, not daring to approach. Li Xian was taken aback, then quickly realized what was going on, walked to Zhang Cun's side, smeared his hands with black ash, and wiped it on his face.

Zhang Cun then recognized him and exclaimed in surprise, "Ah! Brother Li—Brother Li, you're still alive?" Yue Fanluo, Wang Shan,

Liang Huohuo and the others gathered around, looking at them with curiosity and great confusion.

Zhang Cun noticed that Li Xian's "Cage Bracelet" had been removed, and was even more stunned and puzzled. Realizing that Li Xian had paid off his debt, he hurriedly asked for advice. Li Xian saw that the four of them were nodding acquaintances, having worked together in the past and cooperated with each other, and had a good relationship. So they chatted casually, found a large rock to sit down and talk, and each of them talked about recent events.

Li Xian feared that Zhang Chun, upon learning of the "Deathwish Valley," would be unaware of the dangers involved and rashly attempt to participate, thus losing his life on the way. Therefore, he did not tell Zhang Chun about the "Deathwish Valley," but only said that he had gained the favor of an important person and that his debts had been cleared in a few words.

Zhang Cun was filled with envy, beating his chest and stamping his feet, wishing he could be the one. Li Xian asked about what had happened after escaping from Jade Pillar Mountain. Zhang Cun told him the truth, and the next day, "Clear Peace Tower" came to his door.

Soldiers were dispatched to search along the mountain and soon discovered Li Xian's bloodstains. They then followed the bloodstains. However, in the end, neither Li Xian was captured nor was his "death" announced. The matter was left unresolved.

As always, Jade Pillar Mountain sees occasional power struggles. Every day, one enters the vein to mine jade and then rests upon exiting. Every few days, one can go to Clear Peace Tower to receive important tasks, complete them, and repay additional debts.

Li Xian chatted briefly before bidding farewell to the four. Zhang Cun and Yue Fanluo watched him leave with envy, then sighed softly before returning to their lodgings with their companions to rest, knowing they would need to dig for jade again the next day.

After leaving Jade Pillar Mountain, we walked another ten miles or so along the mountain road. It was already completely dark, but there was a stone pavilion for resting halfway up the mountain.

Scattered throughout the pavilion were Common Citizen sleeping, who had already occupied the seats.

Li Xian gazed ahead at the road ahead, not in a hurry to enter the city. He thought that spending the night here would be quite interesting. So he jumped onto the top of the stone pavilion and rested leisurely. The lights of Jade City were dim, and the city was brightly Clarity all night long, like a precious jade shining with a halo. The remaining light shone on the stone pavilion, so it did not seem dim.

The night breeze was cool, and he felt completely at ease. Li Xian, dressed in simple clothes, held forty taels of silver in his hand and pondered, "I once heard a servant from Clear Peace Tower say that four taels of silver a month was enough for food and drink for more than a month. Although Jade City is prosperous, the cost of living is not too different from other places. My forty taels of silver should be enough to find a place to stay."

He gazed at the prosperous Jade City, reflecting on the many trials and tribulations he had endured, and how he was finally about to set foot Jade City and experience its splendor. The night passed quickly, and as dawn broke, Li Xian began his journey, arriving at the "Westwind Gate" of Jade City an hour later.

There are twelve city gates on the west side of Jade City, which shows how vast Jade City. There are "gate soldiers" guarding the city. Li Xian has traveled through many towns and cities. The wealth of Jade City can be seen from the gate soldiers: they all wear silver armor, carry swords, and are tall, strong and well-built.

Rumor has it that Jade City's armor-making and shipbuilding skills are top-notch. Clad in silver armor, they are exceptionally brave and enviable. Being a gate guard is a lucrative job, and Jade Citizen have free access. Common Citizen need to spend a few copper coins to bribe their way in and out, but they are often discriminated against.

Li Xian entered the city unscathed. The lively atmosphere enveloped him, and a steamed bun shop came into view, followed by vegetable stalls, a sugar figurine shop, a lion dance troupe, and acrobats—

Looking into the distance, this "West Wind Avenue" is incredibly wide, almost like a straight river. Although there are many people on both sides, it is not crowded. Magnificent buildings can be seen everywhere, and jade palaces are a common sight.

Colorful lanterns and red silk complement each other.

From the tower, someone chanted poetry; at the banquet, people played drinking games and laughed heartily. A storyteller's voice rose and fell in cadence; children ran about mischievously. The splendor of Jade City suddenly appeared before his eyes. Li Xian thought, "I once planted a strand of hair nearby to observe, but I only paid attention to passersby, and never saw this magnificent scene. Now, looking around, I realize a corner of Jade City's true beauty. Flying Dragon City is far inferior."

In the distance, wisps of white smoke rise and gather into clouds, drifting towards the mountains to the east. Gazing at the mountains to the east, shrouded in white mist, they appear utterly mysterious. The myriad aspects of Jade City suddenly come into view.

Li Xian felt hungry, so she bought three boxes of "Jade Exquisite" meat buns, a serving of "Salty Hot Tofu," and a serving of "Sweet Fragrant Tofu." She also bought two dry pancakes and a bowl of meat-dipped pancakes.

Every place has its own unique flavors. The Jade Exquisite Meat Buns are made from common poultry such as pork and chicken, minced and wrapped into delicate little buns. You can swallow one in one bite. They are very fragrant, but not very filling.

Li Xian ordered some ordinary food, spending twenty-four copper coins. After calculating, it was still acceptable. He ate one jade-like steamed bun after another, the salty and hot tofu pudding warmed his body and invigorated his blood, and the sweet tofu pudding filled his stomach. He then leaned against the street and ate some dry biscuits and drank a few sips of water.

Although it wasn't a gourmet meal, I was still extremely satisfied.

Having eaten and drunk his fill and feeling full of energy, Li Xian dusted off his clothes and headed along "West Wind Avenue," determined to have a good stroll through the street.

Jade City has a total of 360 wards, which vary in size. The streets are crisscrossed. Each ward is headed by a "ward head," who is equivalent to a "county magistrate" in other places. He is a "Mud Face Bodyless" person, but he can be regarded as a local tyrant.

The grandeur of Jade City cannot be fully explored in a single day. Beyond the magnificent palaces, there are ancient trees reaching for the sky, a vast lake, a lotus pond, and spectacular waterfalls. Li Xian crossed a long white jade bridge, traversing the "Changjing River."

Just as they reached the middle of the bridge, they suddenly saw a merchant ship go out of control. The crew member couldn't catch the sail in time, and a gust of wind blew, causing the Boat Guild very fast, and it looked like they were about to crash. They saw the people on the shore shouting and watching in alarm, and the crew member pulled hard on the sail rope. Several crew members who were good at martial arts jumped ashore to pull them out.

In the midst of their busy work, they finally managed to successfully lower the sails. The merchant ships crossed the arched bridge and disappeared into the distance. Li Xian took in the entire scene, feeling a unique sense of satisfaction. He wandered around for another hour, but still hadn't left the workshop.

Li Xian realized it was getting late and needed to find an inn to stay in as soon as possible. He would settle down first and then plan his next move. There were many visitors to Jade City, and many inns as well. Li Xian found that inns named after surnames, such as "Su Clan Inn" and "Liu Clan Inn," were quite common.

Curious, I asked a passerby and learned that these family-run inns are generally managed by members of clans in Jade City. Although they are individual businesses run by the members, they rely on the Lineage's reputation. The clan's name is renowned, which helps attract customers.

Li Xian was located in "Renhua Ward," in the northwest corner of Jade City, a relatively impoverished area. However, to the naked eye, it appeared prosperous beyond description, with jade-built restaurants such as "Human Dream" and "Unforgettable Night" visible.

The bustling scene was unimaginable. Li Xian's "forty taels" of silver would probably not last long. At the back door of the Human Realm Dream Restaurant " and " Night Hard to Forget Restaurant, servants would occasionally bring out fine Jade Nectar and delicacies.

These were all leftovers from the lord of Jade City, which were then sold to ordinary restaurants. Many restaurant managers would wait early, and as soon as they saw the leftovers, they would immediately offer money to buy them. The prices were not low, with hundreds of taels being common and even more common. If a rare dish was found, they would spend thousands of taels to buy it.

It turned out that many of the ingredients for the dishes were only available in large restaurants. Ordinary inns and restaurants needed to have famous dishes to maintain their reputation, so they were scrambling to buy leftovers. Li Xian observed from afar and knew that Jade City had its own rules of operation, so he neither looked down on nor disdained them.

I inquired at four inns in succession, "Far Traveler Inn", "Flowers and Birds Inn", "Spring Breeze Inn", and "Wayfarer's Rest Inn". They were all over ten feet tall and quite large in scale, but they seemed rather mediocre in Jade City.

The Far Traveler Inn is quite affordable and has a nice environment. A "lower room" costs 240 coins a day. If you need meals, drinks, bathing, and other necessities, you need to pay a total of 300 coins a day.

Every evening from 5 PM onwards, the opera troupe staying at the inn will perform. You can purchase tea and a seat to watch. However, you must give a tip afterwards, at least twenty coins. If a guest has a horse, the stable will cost one hundred coins, and hay and guarding the horse will also cost several dozen coins. All this will cost nearly five hundred coins every day.

Li Xian thought to himself, "That constable of Clear Peace Tower has a family estate passed down through generations. So four taels of silver is enough to sustain his daily life. I'm renting an inn, and forty taels of silver probably won't be enough. But I have nowhere else to stay right now, so I'll have to stay here for the time being."

After a moment's thought, Li Xian felt a pang of regret at the difficulty of saving money, so he paid one tael of silver to cover his living expenses for three days. The innkeeper raised an eyebrow and had a waiter lead him upstairs.

The stairs spiral upwards, leading to a spacious platform on the third floor, built with openwork, resembling a large terrace. A stage and tea tables are set up there, offering excellent views. One can watch the opera on the stage and also see the street scenes and people's lives.

Imagine yourself in the late afternoon, seated at a tea table, listening to music, admiring the scenery, sipping tea and chatting idly. Watching the sunset and the lights gradually come on, you'll experience its vibrant and dazzling beauty. Li Xian had initially resolved to save his money, carefully budgeting his finances. But then he suddenly thought, "Since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it. I've already experienced the dangers of Jade City Jade City. Why can't I experience its prosperity?"

Following the waiter up to the fifth floor, the corridor was brand new, with jade inlaid among the wooden decorations. It was quite magnificent. Several exquisite porcelain pieces and several scrolls of famous works were displayed along the way. Outside the corridor was a lush green courtyard.

The fifth floor should have two upper rooms, two middle rooms, and two lower rooms. The upper rooms have extremely beautiful views and a small, spacious courtyard. The middle rooms include a bathroom, study, martial arts room, and kitchen.

As Li Xian was walking, he suddenly heard footsteps. A group of people came up to the fifth floor behind him, and the innkeeper personally saw them off.

The group was dressed in luxurious clothes. The leader was a young girl in colorful clothes with a very short skirt that didn't reach her knees. Her legs were covered with semi-transparent Silk Cocoon Socks, revealing glimpses of her skin, which added to the allure. She wore long animal-skin boots that gleamed with a cool sheen. She had a jade belt around her waist, a sachet hanging from it, and a jade chain around her neck. She was radiant and spotless. Her makeup was exquisite, and her demeanor was extraordinary.

Her pretty face momentarily stunned the waiter. He then lowered his head, pulled Li Xian aside, and waited to the side to allow passage. The girl strode forward, her long hair flowing, casually glancing at Li Xian and the waiter. Her gaze lingered briefly on Li Xian's face.

Li Xian deliberately entered the city with a dirty face to avoid attracting attention. He planned to reveal his true appearance once he was familiar with Jade City. However, his features were strong and handsome, and his eyes had a unique charm that was difficult to completely conceal. The girl glanced at him briefly, sensing something was amiss. She lingered for a moment, but ultimately did not examine him closely, and the two had already passed by.

A lingering fragrance followed. The innkeeper greeted them with a smile and served them attentively. Li Xian asked, "How much would it cost for this woman's superior room?"

The waiter said, "That's quite a lot, and—it's not something you can just buy a room with money. Logically, a superior room should only cost twenty taels of silver per night."

Li Xian asked, "Only twenty taels of silver?" He muttered to himself, "I, Li Xian, have earned tens of thousands of taels of silver before. Twenty taels for food and lodging is quite expensive for me. I didn't expect the waiter in Jade City to say it so easily. His horizons are much broader than mine."

The waiter said, "That's not all. Twenty taels is the price for a room, but those who can afford a room don't just have a place to live. Adding in all the miscellaneous expenses, it often costs thirty taels of silver. And more importantly—"

" In Jade City, there are rules: those Bodyless cannot easily stay in superior rooms. Since there are many inns in Jade City, all superior rooms are first given to those who are pregnant and have status. Only when these people do not stay can those Bodyless Faceless enter. Furthermore, even if they check in first, if superior rooms are scarce, the innkeeper will evict those Bodyless Faceless to make room for those who are pregnant and have status."

Li Xian asked, "I see. But if out-of-town heroes were to be entertained in lower or middle rooms whenever they passed through Jade City, wouldn't that provoke their anger?"

The waiter laughed and said, "Sir, I see you're quite capable, with some money, yet you're so short-sighted. Don't you know that renowned forces like the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, Profound Dao Mountain, and Sword Lake Manor only require a sect token?"

"Since you've come to my Jade City, we naturally treat you as a guest. You're practically a Mud Body, so we haven't been impolite in your hospitality."

"Furthermore—there are many experts outside the city, whose skills are quite formidable. Although they are not in Jade City most of the time, their status in Jade City is not low; they hold positions comparable to those with ' Mud Body,' ' Bronze Body,' or even ' Silver Body.'"

"Body" refers to social status, while "face" refers to power and position. The girl in long boots, Cai Shang, and short skirt just now was a "Mud Body, Faceless" person, meaning that she had a high status but no real power. She was respected everywhere, lived in a superior room, and was served meticulously.

The woman moved into the upper room, leaving two guards outside. Li Xian and his assistant walked past, while the guards stared intently at their every move, as if they would draw their swords and kill at the slightest sign of trouble.

Li Xian walked straight through to the end of the corridor, secretly observing the surroundings along the way. Although the lower room was small, it was fully equipped with a bookcase, a desk, and a large bed. By opening the window, one could vaguely see West Wind Avenue.

However, the view of the distant mountains was blocked by the neighboring "Spring Breeze Inn". Li Xian knew that caution was paramount when traveling the martial world. He twisted out a few strands of hair and arranged them outside the inn and in the corridor, constantly observing the surrounding environment.

With only a single strand of hair left, he hesitated for a moment, thinking, "Although I only met that woman once, it is said that those with Mud Body should not be easily tortured. Just now, when I passed by her guards, it seemed as if they were about to draw their swords to kill me at the slightest provocation. I must be careful of such a person."

Knowing that the upper room had a courtyard view, which was quite elegant, Li Xian used his Double Pupils to observe. Through the wooden wall, he saw a woman in a colorful dress in the courtyard, with a stream, rockery, green vines and red flowers, all open to the elements—it was spacious and pleasant.

Li Xian went to the window, then plucked a strand of hair and used Flicked-Finger Golden Light to shoot it upwards. The hair fell like fine rain into the courtyard, mingling with the grass and taking root wherever it touched the ground, thus extending his senses.

The woman in the colorful dress was sitting cross-legged, her chest rising and falling slightly, as if practicing some kind of "breathing technique," which seemed quite profound.

Li Xian thought to himself, "Jade City truly is a place where Fortune gathers. Although I don't know this woman's origins, her abilities are quite remarkable. As long as she doesn't threaten me, I don't need to pry into other people's secrets." Seeing that there was nothing unusual, he withdrew his attention and lay down on the bed to rest.

The bed was soft and comfortable, filled with "silkworm down" as its base, which helped him sleep. Li Xian lay on the bed, feeling peaceful, his eyelids growing heavier. He carefully examined each strand of hair, finding no threat approaching. He felt that the "Hair Falling, Roots Taking Hold" technique had endless uses, truly a powerful tool for navigating the martial world, surpassing countless divine skills and martial arts techniques.

After a long, restful sleep, Li Xian felt completely refreshed upon waking, his bones cracking and popping as if he were floating on air. Although he had escaped the clutches of debt and gained a few days of peace, the road ahead was long and far from over. He still needed to plan for the future.

Li Xian pondered, "I came to Jade City seeking fortuitous opportunity amidst the chaos. Although I was unexpectedly turned into a debt slave and trapped for several months, I have also gained a great deal, enriching my combat experience many times over. Now the debt is paid off, but the poison remains, and the threat from Commandery Princess Anyang is still present. I originally did not know the strength of Mud Face, Bronze Face, and Silver Face, so in order to survive, I claimed to have advanced to Silver Face in three years. Now, several months have passed, and I have barely paid off my debts, barely managing to live the life of a Common Citizen."

"Only then did I realize how difficult it was for Jade City to be promoted."

"Recalling Commandery Princess Anyang, after executing the Silver-Faced Lang Xu Cheng, she arranged for her nephew Wei Chu to have a position with Mud Face Mud Body ' appearance. It's clear that although she didn't enter the city, she had considerable influence and connections within it."

"Leaving Jade City at this point is neither a wise plan nor Non-Self wish. Should I give up halfway through because of such a small setback? Only now have I truly set foot in Jade City."

"And to strive, to strive—one must go against the current. I still need to strive, to seek opportunities, to acquire the Jade City Law and martial arts. That Commandery Princess Anyang has harmed me so much, I might as well take this opportunity to retaliate. But ultimately, I need to plan for the long term."

Suddenly, he felt a movement in his hair. The woman in the colorful dress made a sound.