Chapter 240 Nine Transformations and Nine Changes, Ascending to a Higher Place
The Huashui Mansion in Yuzhou is renowned throughout the world for its two unique features: flowers and water. A riot of colorful flowers creates a breathtaking landscape, while winding waterways nourish all living things.
After traveling for about ten miles, the scenery becomes apparent halfway up the mountain. Looking out, the winding waterway is lined with wildflowers on both sides. It is March, and heroes of the martial world, officials of the imperial court, and scholars of great fortune... all flock to Huashui Mansion to witness this rare and magnificent sight.
There is a "Flower Appreciation Pavilion" in the mountains, with four stone benches inside. Outside the pavilion stands a stone tablet with an inscription that reads: "Established by the Liu family of Weijiang, Huashui Prefecture."
At that time, the political situation was turbulent, but the powerful families managed their businesses and controlled the surrounding resources, making them very wealthy. This place was a wonderful spot for appreciating flowers and scenery, and the powerful families set up pavilions and erected steles for travelers and wanderers to rest and enjoy the view.
Those who possess martial arts skills and desire wealth and status, upon seeing the inscription and feeling inclined to seek patronage, will approach the family to discuss matters. They will naturally become retainers. Therefore, the "Stone Pavilion" was not intended to benefit the common people, but rather to "recruit" masters and enhance its reputation.
A gentle breeze wafts through the stone pavilion. The fragrance of flowers lingers in the air, caressing the nose and fingers, creating a tranquil atmosphere that soothes the soul and allows one to drift into a serene state of mind.
Having toiled for a long time, their clothes damp with sweat, they took this opportunity to rest. The two sat in the pavilion, drinking water and eating dry rations. Li Xian looked out over the mountains, the view expansive, and sighed, "If wildflowers are this beautiful, what will they be like with rare and precious flowers?"
Wen Caishang chuckled and began to discuss "flower appreciation." She spoke of how to admire flowers, how to observe them, the meanings behind flower names, what constitutes superiority and inferiority… her vast knowledge was truly admirable. During the conversation, she mentioned several remarkable individuals in the Flower Water Mansion who were passionate about cultivating flowers. However, she had only heard of them and had no prior connection with them, so she mentioned them briefly.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Li Xian was full of energy. As he prepared to set off, he laid his belongings flat on the stone table in the pavilion. He thought to himself:
"My personal baggage, including swords, bows, clothes, water pouches, dry rations, poison powder, and throwing knives, is too bulky and troublesome. Moreover, this way of traveling is too conspicuous, making me unforgettable at a glance, and people can easily find out my whereabouts with a little investigation. I need to find a way to streamline it."
The narrow blade was forged from fine steel, tough and sharp, with a single-edged blade. Although of good quality, it could be replaced by the "Sinking River Sword." Therefore, it was discarded. Li Xian carefully selected and discarded unnecessary water pouches and items... those that could be discarded were carefully hidden away, keeping his person light and free.
Afterwards, Li Xian joked with a smile, "Sigh, it's precisely the heaviest thing that I can't let go of."
After getting ready, it was the height of the sun. So I waited a little longer, until the clouds covered the sun and the weather cooled down, before continuing on my way. I walked several more miles, my steps steady and discreet, but I couldn't help but hesitate.
Wen Caishang's words make perfect sense. Although we have temporarily escaped the pursuers, we cannot be complacent.
Unfold the map. Huashui Prefecture is located in the southeast, with Chongling Prefecture to the south and Xialong Prefecture to the north. Xialong Prefecture and Longxiong Road face each other across the distance, yet they are close to each other.
Li Xian had a general understanding of the prefectures and states. Having no better plan at the moment, he decided to proceed as he went.
The route was revised, heading north instead, with an attempt to remain elusive. The journey was arduous, taking about three days, crossing mountains and passing through small counties, where the wind and water were calm.
She received daily massages. Wen Caishang could move her wrists and slightly raise her forearms. That night, the two spent the night in the wilderness, and Li Xian murmured:
"After we broke free from the siege, we headed north. They were caught off guard, and because they had suffered heavy losses in the flower field and had not yet recovered, their messages would certainly not have reached them."
“But… it’s always conspicuous for me to be carrying my wife’s back. If this continues, our whereabouts will inevitably be exposed. Besides… our goal is to return to Yihe Manor. We can use the treasures hidden there to heal our injuries, so that we won’t have to fear our enemies. If we keep fleeing north, we’ll only get further and further away.”
Wen Caishang nodded and said, "That makes a lot of sense. What do you want to do?"
Li Xian said, "We've been on the run for several days now. The world is vast, so I don't think they'll find us easily. Madam... I'll continue the massage. How long until you can leave?"
Wen Caishang said solemnly, "I underestimated the Marrow-Fixing Finger! The finger force is very strong and entangled. It will take more than ten days to achieve the effect of external massage alone. Alas, there are still traces of Sanskrit chants in my body."
The two sat close together, a gentle breeze blowing, the fragrance of their hair wafting in their nostrils.
Li Xian untied the water pouch and took a sip himself. He then fed it to Wen Caishang, who was already used to it. Li Xian pondered for a moment and said, "Su Qiuwu has suffered a setback and will surely seek help. We should remain still at this juncture. Any movement will leave clues and may lead to an investigation."
"Furthermore, I haven't planned our future route yet. Right now... I want to find a place to hide. In the meantime, I'll slowly work out the route and plan the itinerary. Once you can walk again, whether we go to the city or the mountains, we won't attract so much attention."
Wen Caishang also felt that it made sense, and said softly, "Alright, whatever you want." Suddenly remembering the old agreement, she glanced at me with a flirtatious look and said reproachfully, "You little rascal... are you still thinking about making me serve you? Once I can walk, will you take revenge on me? Make me call you King and make me serve you."
Li Xian smiled and said, "Of course."
"You naughty boy," Wen Caishang scolded in a coquettish voice, "If I don't serve you well, are you going to hit me or scold me again?"
Li Xian deliberately said, "Not only that, I'm also going to bite you, pinch you, and scratch you."
Huashui Prefecture is covered with wildflowers and dotted with rivers. Lixian and Wencaishang are located in "Zhoushui County", which has many villages.
The truly wise live in seclusion in the city.
Li Xian arrived at "He Shi Village," a village with multiple surnames, including Wang, Li, Li, and Liu. Li Xian found a man surnamed Li, bribed him with money, and said he was a distant relative who had moved there.
He spent money to bribe officials and win favors. In this way, Li Xian rented an abandoned house in "Peacemaking Village." It was tiny, barely the size of a palm, and very low. Inside, weeds grew rampant, poisonous snakes made their nests, and rats roamed freely.
Legend has it that the family that owned the house died of a plague three years ago, leaving the house abandoned. Li Xian looked around and saw a large tree.
He leaped into the air, his feet barely touching the ground. He wrapped his arms around Wen Caishang and gently placed her on a tree branch. Wen Caishang, her white dress fluttering, sat atop a high branch.
After Li Xian landed, he rolled up his sleeves and immediately got to work. Wen Caishang sat upright on a high place, unable to move due to the hidden finger strength, but she remained elegant.
Li Xian raided snake lairs and rat burrows. He cleared away weeds and swept away dust. With his martial arts skills and abundant strength, he did it all with ease. The abandoned house gradually came to life.
Smoke billowed from the chimney, the black smoke hanging high signaling to passersby that the house was now owned. The ash from the burnt firewood absorbed moisture, prevented odors, and killed mold; it was evenly sprinkled in the courtyard and smeared on the walls.
Apart from the leaky roof, everything else is taken care of.
Though small, the sparrow has all the vital organs. Though the mud-brick and thatched house is simple, it is perfectly adequate for temporary lodging.
A river flowed in front of the door, surrounded by flowers, its waters shimmering. Li Xian came to the old tree in front of the door, lightly kicked the trunk, and Wen Caishang fell into his arms.
Li Xian laughed and said, "Kings, generals, noble families, landlords and wealthy merchants... all keep mistresses in golden houses. Alas, I, Li Xian, have been poor since childhood, so I have no golden houses. But fortunately, I can still keep mistresses in earthen houses. My lady, you are not aggrieved, are you?"
“You’re such a chatterbox,” Wen Caishang said.
They hid Wen Caishang in the bedroom. Li Daqin and his family arrived in an oxcart, saying, "Brother Li, we've brought you the things!"
Li Xian moved into "Peacemaking Village," posing as a distant relative of Li Daqin, and gave him a full two taels of silver. He then asked Li Daqin to help him obtain household items such as pots and pans, bedding, and clothing.
Li Xian stayed in Duanduan for several days, even ten days or more. Many things were not of practical use. But in order to conceal his whereabouts and reduce the suspicion of others, he needed to make it appear as if he were staying for a long time.
Li Daqin said, "Hey, Brother Li, you're quite efficient! It hasn't been long, and you've cleaned it up so well. Where's your wife?"
Li Xian laughed and said, "Hey, that lazy woman is sleeping inside. Thanks for your help, Brother Li. Otherwise, we would have been homeless and wouldn't know what to do."
Li Daqin said, “We’re all relatives, why are you saying this? Come on, move these things into the house. But… there’s something I need to tell you. You have no name, no land, and no fields, so you can’t last long. You can either go to the county government to bribe officials and clear some land to make a living, or go to a large family and become a tenant farmer. Or you can do something to help yourself by tending to people’s flowers and plants.”
Li Xian nodded in agreement. She took the pots, pans, bedding, and clothes into the room and watched Li Daqin leave.
A small earthen house in a courtyard, flowers blooming and water clear… it was quite peaceful. Li Xian took off his clothes and jumped into the water to swim. He washed away his fatigue and caught a few big fish along the way.
When it's simmered in the stove, the aroma fills the air.
They lit a candle and drank fish soup to fill their stomachs. Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Although this place is extremely simple, it is finally peaceful. It's completely different from eating in the wind and sleeping in the open."
Li Xian said, "In the prefectural city, several taels of silver aren't even enough for a meal. But in this village, one tael of silver is enough to settle down, have a place to live, clothes to wear, and food to eat."
“Indeed.” Wen Caishang said thoughtfully, “I used to be too ambitious, wanting to reach the top. So my eyes were always on the towering mountains and the single branch that outshone all the flowers. But… the masses at the foot of the mountain, the green leaves and weeds beside the branches, are also a stroke in the painting of heaven and earth.”
It is only natural to climb to a high place and look into the distance.
Watching frogs in a well can be quite interesting.
Wen Caishang's eyes gleamed with a strange light as she gazed at Li Xian, her thoughts racing: "Without this experience, I would never have had this realization. I was raised by my entire clan from a young age, and I had already entered the third realm before I came of age. Li Xian is the complete opposite of me, so... he has something that I don't have. I couldn't discover it before, but now I have. I need to observe him more closely."
Li Xian practiced martial arts in the courtyard. Following the instructions of the star chart, his figure flashed, incredibly light and agile. Wen Caishang, with a relaxed heart, originally intended to teach Li Xian martial arts. However, she feared that Li Xian might be distracted and neglect his escape.
[Seven Star Step]
[Proficiency: 1096/1200 Mastery]
Li Xian drew upon his inner energy, transforming it into a condensed energy ball. This ball was distributed across various acupoints, including the Yellow Court, Tanzhong, and Tailbone. With each practice session, it grew stronger.
When the exercise was in full swing, I leaped onto the roof. Then, with another leap, I disappeared into the treetops. Never before had I felt so light, as if I wanted to roam freely across the world.
That night.
Li Xian has mastered the "Seven Star Steps" to a minor degree. He has also grasped the "Star Gazing" characteristic, which allows him to slowly recover his strength as if he were in hibernation when observing the stars.
With ample time, I then practiced the "Vast Leg" technique. A sudden flash of inspiration led to mastery; the more I practiced, the smoother it became, naturally reaching its pinnacle.
[Vast Legs]
[Proficiency: 13/60000, Pinnacle]
[Description: Through countless trials, you have honed your leg techniques to perfection. Your leg strength has increased dramatically, and your movement is like a thin mist brushing a lake, appearing and disappearing, seemingly there and not there, having grasped the essence of "Mist Step."]
This characteristic makes it easy to walk, swift and unpredictable, leaving no trace.
Li Xianqi Lake extends to "sixty-six zhang".
(End of this chapter)
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