Chapter 243 The beauty bows and serves wine.
In early February, we will meet heroes by the river.
At the end of March, the Red List fled ten thousand miles away.
Meanwhile, Su Qiuwu and his companions, having heard of Li Xian's whereabouts, arrived at Heshi Village two days later.
Surrounding the earthen house, Li Quan cursed, "That bastard! We're exhausted and have no clue whatsoever. We thought he was some kind of immortal who could vanish into thin air. Who knew he'd be living here peacefully with a beauty in his arms, even tending to his plants! I'm furious!"
Zhao Zhiyuan said, "A lone man and a lone woman, alone in a room, living happily together, tsk tsk tsk...it's truly enviable." His words were cold and sinister.
Su Qiuwu suddenly realized, "What a cunning kid! I wondered why he disappeared without a trace. We searched high and low but found no clues. It turns out he was looking for a place to settle down. The more we searched, the farther and more remote the place became. We thought he was just getting further and further away. We were anxious and helpless, but we never expected that there would be traces of them in a remote village!"
Zhao Zhiyuan said, "If it weren't for Brother Su's ingenious scheme, it would have been difficult to deal with this boy." Su Qiuwu replied, "Brother Zhao also helped me a great deal." The two exchanged a glance, their expressions subtly sharp. The insidious scheme was remarkably effective, but extremely dishonorable. Both wanted to clear themselves of any involvement, but their words were filled with veiled insults.
A moment of silence.
Li Quan kicked down the wooden door and smashed the flowers and plants in the yard.
Li Quan suddenly cried out in terror, "Quick...come and see! She...she..." He pointed at the mud wall, terrified, his legs trembling.
The eight characters, "Your life is spared for now, but will be taken later," were eye-catching. Li Quan and Zhao Zhiyuan's faces turned deathly pale in an instant. Su Qiuwu's eyes were bloodshot, his eyes were moist, and his nostrils flared slightly... He was helpless and lost in thought for a moment.
“No…” Su Qiuwu said, “No… Look at this sword mark, it’s so light. Wen Caishang probably hasn’t fully recovered. And if she had, she wouldn’t be leaving. Knowing her personality, she would definitely wait for us to come to her!”
Li Quan said, "Heh, Su Qiuwu... even if that woman hasn't fully recovered, killing you or me would be a piece of cake." Su Qiuwu retorted angrily, "You dog, you're boosting the enemy's morale and weakening your own. If this were a war, I would definitely chop off your dog's head!"
"Ha ha ha ha."
Suddenly, a loud laugh was heard.
Someone said loudly, "What's the matter with Su Qiuwu of the Seven Aperture Sword Heart of the Sword Rain Pavilion and Li Quan of the Taixin Sect, the Worldly Heavenly Dog? Why are they arguing so fiercely and exposing each other's shortcomings? Interesting, very interesting. Can you tell me about it?"
The Sword-Slaying Alliance consists of five major sects: Huangsha, Taixin, Jianyu, Shiluo, and Wujidao... Although they are an alliance, the sects and factions are far apart. They rarely interact and therefore seldom meet.
At the village entrance, the Wuji Blade Clan members, carrying swords on their backs, walked towards us. The leader was young, short but very strong.
It is called "Qi Bei Dao" (齐北刀).
Suddenly, an earthquake was felt. Everyone turned to look and saw water splashing in the vast paddy fields, and rice plants lying flat... A row of people jumped in unison. Each jump was about half a zhang high, and they moved with incredible speed, leaving a chilling aura wherever they went.
Before long, they had jumped to the front of the earthen house. The newcomers were "zombies," about several dozen in number, cold and numb, exuding a deep and eerie chill. The zombies were carrying two coffins.
One of the curtains slowly opened, and a person got up and lazily said, "Excellent, excellent, everyone's here! It's good to see you all again!"
This person is Shen Pingping from Shiluo Village. The main force of the Sword-Slaying Alliance has all gathered here.
Su Qiuwu cupped his hands and said, "Brother Chen, Brother Qi, it's been a long time!" Xi Kairen, Qian Jinghao, Zhao Zhiyuan, Li Quan, and others all bowed in greeting.
Qi Beidao asked, "Brother Li, where are your three brothers? I've always heard that the Four Heroes of Taixin are inseparable and of one heart. Why are they nowhere to be found?"
Li Quan looked embarrassed. Su Qiuwu and Li Quan were bickering, but seeing that Wen Caishang seemed to have recovered, and hoping to use Li Quan, Su Qiuwu took the initiative to befriend her and help her get past the topic.
After chatting for a while, the group entered the earthen house. Seeing the sword marks on the earthen wall, Qi Beidao asked in surprise, "These mere sword marks don't even conceal sword energy, and I can't discern any skill involved. Why are you two arguing about this?"
Li Quan said, "You won't know what's going on here until you fight her..." Su Qiuwu interrupted, "Actually, it's not because of the sword marks that we argued. It's because... sigh... I used to be arrogant and looked down on Brother Li, which caused a lot of friction and has led to resentment."
"Now I have come to my senses and realize that I was wrong before. I beg Brother Li to forgive my past mistakes. I, Su, apologize!"
Li Quan was quite surprised. Seeing Su Qiuwu's sincerity and willingness to show weakness, which was truly admirable, and noticing that all the experts from the Sword-Seeking Alliance were present, he needed to demonstrate his magnanimity, so he asked, "Are you truly sincere?"
Su Qiuwu nodded and said, "It couldn't be more true!"
Li Quan said, "Alright, let's put the past behind us for now and discuss how to capture Li Xian and Wen Caishang!"
Su Qiuwu's thoughts shifted. He suddenly apologized, intending to use Li Quan as a pretext, and then change the subject. Li Quan was simple-minded; he had just been about to directly point out Wen Caishang's terrifying, powerful, and dangerous aspects. Qi Beidao and Shen Pingping, knowing this, would surely have their own plans. If they knew that Jianyulou, Huangshamen, and Taixinzong had suffered heavy losses without any gains, they would inevitably become wary and might even withdraw halfway.
Li Quan entered the house and saw a bedroom and a stove, both showing signs of life. The bed still smelled of hair; he sniffed it repeatedly, his eyes filled with longing. He was filled with envy and jealousy.
Why does Wen Caishang favor that boy so much?
...
...
On the other hand...
The character "tiger" in Weihujiang is taken from a scenic spot: tiger leaping into the river.
Every April, tigers gather along the riverbank and leap into the river in a spectacular display. The reason for this remains a mystery.
It was already evening, and Li Xian and Wen Caishang were walking along the road, nearing the river. They figured that once they passed this point, the Sword-Slaying Alliance would have no chance of catching up.
Li Xian said, "Madam, do you know? Behind the Weihu River, there is a place called Tiger Cry Ridge. It is a place of great evil."
Wen Caishang scolded, "You've only just learned a little, and you already want to show off to me. You..." She then said softly, "Then tell me about it."
During their conversation, they suddenly heard strange noises coming from ahead. They could vaguely hear the roar of a tiger, the bellowing of an elephant, and the shouts of people. Li Xian thought, "In unfamiliar places, I should be more vigilant." He listened intently, employing his "hearing in all directions" ability. He discerned that the strange noises were coming from the nearby woods.
Li Xian whispered, "Let's look from a distance and see if there's anything strange." Wen Caishang nodded. Li Xian used his light footwork to channel his inner energy into Wen Caishang's body, making her move lightly and swiftly. Before long, they saw the source of the strange noise: two groups of beasts were fighting each other.
The tiger roars in the mountains and forests, and the elephant shakes the earth.
The tiger's claws are sharp and its arms are thick; the red elephant's body is strong and enormous. Tigers have their own formations, and elephants have their own forms. A group of tigers pounce and strike with their claws, while a group of elephants swing their trunks and trample... It is a magnificent sight.
Looking further into the distance.
Both sides cheered and encouraged each other. Li Xian thought to himself, "This is quite rare." He observed intently.
They fought to their hearts' content. Li Xian, not wanting to cause any trouble, gestured for them to leave. Wen Caishang nodded and then used her lightness skill to disappear into the distance.
Wen Caishang smiled and said, "It's my turn to test you. What are the origins of the two groups of people just now?" Li Xian replied, "They must be from sects."
Wen Caishang rolled her eyes: "Do you need to tell me? I'm asking you which sect you belong to." Li Xian said: "The Evil Tiger Sect and the Elephant Sect?" Wen Caishang said coquettishly: "Nonsense."
Li Xian stopped his banter and honestly asked for guidance. Wen Caishang said, "It's the Tiger Luo Sect and the Elephant Luo Sect." Li Xian suddenly tensed up and hurriedly asked, "Madam, you haven't made enemies with them, have you?"
Wen Caishang said, "Of course it's over. I killed the Tiger Luo Sect Master's wife and child. I wiped out the Elephant Luo Sect's beloved disciple..." Li Xian said, "If you're lying to me, I should punish you."
"You dare!" Wen Caishang realized her strength was too weak; she was like a fish on a chopping board, truly helpless. She said softly, "You're incredibly audacious. Fine. I was just teasing you. I've only heard of the Tiger Luo Sect and Elephant Luo Sect; I've never had any contact with them. How could we possibly have any enmity?"
Li Xian said, "It's alright." Wen Caishang said, "These two sects originally came from the same sect. Later, they fell apart, and the tiger and the elephant fought endlessly. I never thought they would end up here."
Li Xian said, "Whatever sect they are, we're just passing through. Once we've sailed away, it'll be none of our business anymore."
The two quickened their pace and entered the city at night. The city was named "White Tiger City," and the city walls were adorned with exquisitely crafted and imposing white jade tiger statues, their claws outstretched and their forms fierce.
Fang Yi entered the city.
A wave of lively sounds swept through, as if a festival was in full swing in the city. Red lanterns shone brightly, and colorful decorations abounded. Each place had its own unique customs and traditions, offering a truly distinctive experience. Seeing that he was about to escape his predicament, Li Xian, with a sudden burst of leisure, sought out a neighbor and asked, "Old man, what festival is it today?"
The old man said, "From out of town? Today is the Tiger God Festival, a day to pray for peace, worship ancestors, and appease the Tiger God."
Li Xian asked a few more questions. Knowing only that it was an ancient festival, he asked Wen Caishang, "Madam, do you really think there is a Tiger God?"
Wen Caishang pondered for a moment and said, "Not necessarily!" Li Xian sighed deeply at the vastness of the world. As they walked through the street, they suddenly saw a commotion... A group of people were pushing a wooden cart, on which were placed a disemboweled tiger.
Local residents went out to worship. They offered incense, which was quite strange. Li Xian heard in the distance that there seemed to be a large-scale sacrificial ceremony, with crowds gathering.
Despite his curiosity, he ultimately chose to play it safe and found a nearby inn to stay in. Li Xian carefully calculated his remaining money; after paying for the boat ride, he still had some silver left.
He then asked, "What good food do you have here?"
The waiter said, "Yes, we have tiger penis, tiger waist, tiger bone, tiger meat... all rare delicacies." Li Xian said, "Oh? Don't lie to me. I've eaten quite a few tiger beasts. Whether they taste fresh or delicious is hard to say, but the meat is tough and chewy, not easy to eat."
"Oh, sir," the waiter said, "can tigers from other places compare to those here? Do you know Tiger Cry Ridge?"
Li Xian said, "I've heard that... how come the tigers from that place taste so delicious?" The waiter replied, "Not really. It's just that... Tiger Cry Ridge is connected to an endless mountain range. That place is a fierce land, full of rare and exotic fruits. The tigers of Tiger Cry Ridge grow up eating these fruits, and when they reach a certain age, they jump into the river."
"The drowned tigers naturally become food. The Tiger Luo Clan skins them and sells the skin, while the meat is sold to us. If they are lucky enough to survive, then they are quite formidable."
"Just like a python or dragon moving through water, this fierce tiger crossing the river is the 'River-Turning Tiger'! The Tiger Luo Sect treasures it greatly. Sigh... All this is just to tell you, sir, that our tiger beasts grow by feeding on rare and precious ingredients, and their meat is sweet and delicious. Hehe."
Li Xian thought to himself, "The Endless Mountains? I have indeed heard of them. The Fuhua Merchants' Journey often travels this waterway, but they have also encountered some inexplicable things. Several caravans once ventured into the mountains to explore and then disappeared without a trace."
Li Xian said, "Alright, bring the wine and dishes to the room." He smiled at Wen Caishang and said, "Madam, let's go upstairs."
The room was simple, but it was complete with a bed and table, and the waiter brought dishes one after another. First came two jars of "Tiger's Wine," which the waiter had specially mixed to be quite strong, hoping to encourage a lone man and woman to open up to each other. After that came "crispy beans," "braised meat," and other common dishes to accompany the wine.
"Sirs, here are your hot tiger meatballs. Please enjoy them while they're hot." The waiter brought over a porcelain plate. The aroma wafted out as the lid was opened, revealing two tiger meatballs coated in sauce.
After all the dishes had been served, the table was laden with delicacies and two jars of fine wine, and no one disturbed the table any longer. Wen Caishang was in high spirits, rolled up her sleeves to pour wine, and the aroma filled the air.
She poured a full glass, a hint of shyness flashing in her eyes, and handed it to him with captivating charm, saying, "Didn't you ask me to serve you? Here's some wine. Are you satisfied?"
Beautiful and charming.
She then leaned forward and said, "Good Li Lang, please have a drink." When had she ever treated anyone like this before?
Li Xian was flattered and drank several cups. They drank and chatted happily until midnight. The beautiful woman served the wine, but he was not very pleased.
The lady serving wine was not entirely genuine. Her interest grew...
(End of this chapter)
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