Chapter 244 A Fairy in Public, a Gentleman in Private
Candlelight cast its glow, and incense filled the air. Wen Caishang, with her alluring figure and tender feelings, was fulfilling her promise to reward Li Xian, and despite her shyness, she served him wine.
Who knew that amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, feelings would intertwine, eyes would gleam, and desire would become irrepressible? Adding to this, the journey was fraught with peril, with them trapped and escaping danger multiple times. The bond forged in this shared experience was truly extraordinary.
Undisturbed, their affections grew even stronger. Li Xian was handsome, his primordial yang energy abundant, his body a pure yang essence. Like a raging furnace, after drinking Tiger's Cub Wine, his yang energy dissipated, making him even hotter.
Wen Caishang said, "Li Lang, are you sweating?" Her beautiful eyes were glazed over, and her fingers gently twirled, teasing his chest.
For a moment, clarity dawned on me, and I thought, "I kept my promise and served him. But how... did it turn out like this? Am I to serve him as well?"
She hurriedly got up, yet lingered, her emotions a complex mix of shyness, anger, and joy. Li Xian said, "Madam, you should drink some wine too." He poured a full cup and gently fed it to her.
Slightly tipsy, Wen Caishang was lost in a daze, her heart filled with swirling emotions. She felt both sweet and flustered; the situation was beyond her control. She thought, "So be it...so be it...what can I do about him?" She lowered her guard and let things take their course.
They drank from the same cup, their expressions intimate.
Just then, the inn's main door opened. A group of people entered, making a racket and disturbing the two's enjoyment. Wen Caishang frowned and said, "Ignore them."
Li Xian smiled and said, "To be on the safe side, we need to be cautious." He picked up Wen Caishang and put her back in her original position, saying, "I'll go out and take a look. If nothing's wrong, please continue to feed me wine, Madam."
Wen Caishang retorted, "Hmph, once you miss this opportunity, you'll never have another. Don't even think about it." Li Xian said, "Then I'll go back to that village and look for that shop again. As the saying goes, you can run away from the monk, but you can't run away from the temple."
Wen Caishang scolded, "You brat," but couldn't help feeling a little expectant. Li Xian gently opened the door and quietly walked along the corridor. His eyes, revealing double pupils, pierced through a layer of wooden wall, allowing him to see the hall on the first floor.
The group consisted of five or six people, all dressed in yellow robes, with arrogant expressions. They urged the shopkeeper to prepare the dishes, implying that a powerful figure was coming soon.
Li Xian thought to himself, "I am being hunted down and am wanted by the Red List. I am close to the Weihu River. At this critical moment, I must not cause any trouble and should avoid it if possible." After confirming that there was no danger, he was about to return to his room.
Suddenly, a tiger's roar rang out. The door was smashed open with a single blow, and a massive tiger's body burst into the inn. Its jaws were gaping, and its fangs were menacing. The beast's fur was like needles, and its eyes were like bronze furnaces. It was incredibly strong and ferocious.
A man sat on his back. It was none other than Zhang Hu, one of the Four Heroes of Taixin! The disciples of the Tiger Luo Sect surrounded him, their expressions respectful, while urging the innkeeper to serve wine and dishes.
Zhang Hu nodded and said, "Yes." His gaze swept upstairs, and he vaguely sensed a gaze.
Li Xian was taken aback, thinking, "Zhang Hu? Could they be so fast that they've already caught up to this place? If so, the others should have already surrounded us. No... it doesn't seem like it... I'll observe a little longer."
The disciple of Huluo Sect said, "Our sect has benefited greatly from Master Zhang's visit and exchange. Why don't you stay a few more days? In a few more days, the spectacular sight of Tiger Leaping into the River will appear, which is truly rare."
Zhang Hu said, "I would like to stay a few more days, but I have important matters to attend to and cannot stay long." The Hu Luo Sect disciple said, "It's a pity. We have already ordered some good food. Please, Master Zhang, take a seat."
Zhang Hu said, "The Hu Luo Clan is very hospitable. Your clan has generously lent me this 'River-Turning Tiger.' I am very grateful."
They then sat down and enjoyed their food and drinks.
turn out to be……
After the battle at the city gate, Zhang Hu's beloved tiger died. Both his legs were broken, making movement extremely difficult. Without the tiger's assistance, his strength was reduced by ninety percent.
Enraged by Su Qiuwu's attitude, he broke away from the group and went alone to the "Tiger Luo Sect." Although the Taixin Sect and the Tiger Luo Sect were far apart, they had a long-standing spiritual connection. Disciples of these sects often exchanged visits and exchanged ideas while traveling and competing in martial arts.
Su Qiuwu arrived at the sect, requesting a tiger-shaped mount. The Tiger Luo Sect opened its gates to welcome him and carefully selected the "River-Turning Tiger" for him.
Su Qiuwu had been training with the tiger for several days and had developed a slight understanding with it. He kept thinking of Li Quan, Wen Caishang, and the others, and was eager to rush back to help them and vent his anger.
The Tiger Luo Sect sent people to see them off, and the disciples took the opportunity to curry favor, entering the shop ahead of them to make arrangements. This scene ensued.
Li Xian gleaned some information from their conversation and felt somewhat relieved. He returned to the room and informed Wen Caishang of the situation. Upon hearing this, Wen Caishang composed herself and her expression became serious.
Li Xian said, "Madam, you stay in the room while I investigate further." He quietly slipped out of the room and observed the people in the hall.
Zhang Hu devoured tiger meat and drank tiger wine. The Hu Luo Sect disciples accompanying him flattered and fawned, their words filled with utmost respect.
After they had eaten and enjoyed themselves, one of the disciples said, "Waiter, prepare two superior rooms for Master Zhang to stay in. If he is well served, he will be rewarded handsomely."
Zhang Hu said, "No need for expense!" The disciple said, "Master Zhang, this..."
Zhang Hu said, "How good can the rooms be in this kind of inn? They're cramped and narrow, it's no fun staying here."
"Ah!" the disciple exclaimed, "It was my fault for not handling things properly. I will find another inn right away, and I guarantee that Master Zhang will be comfortable."
Zhang Hu shook his head and said, "It's late, and I still have to travel tomorrow. I'm too lazy to bother, so I'll just sleep here!"
Zhang Hu said to the waiter, "Don't blame me for not telling you, hehe, if I fall asleep, my beloved tiger won't behave itself. If it eats your customers, don't blame me."
The River-Turning Tiger exhaled fiercely. Its eyes gleamed with ferocity, and saliva streamed down its face, clearly indicating it had been starving for a long time. A muffled roar escaped its throat, and its sharp claws scratched the ground. The waiter immediately trembled, his face filled with terror.
After considering the matter for a moment, the innkeeper hurried upstairs to inform the guests that he would refund their money and ask them to leave to avoid being attacked by the tiger. The guests were terrified and quickly went downstairs, passing by the tiger with bated breath.
Zhang Hu laughed heartily, feeling quite pleased with himself. Ninety percent of the guests had already left. Li Xian frowned in thought, intending to quietly leave through the back door.
Zhang Hu suddenly said loudly, "If I'm not mistaken, there's a rather capable friend on the second floor, sneaking around spying on me, isn't there?"
"What, can't stand to see me, Zhang?"
The River-Turning Tiger roared, its voice shaking the surroundings, its ferocious cry echoing far and wide. Li Xian thought to himself, "Martial artists of the Third Realm have keen intuition. They are aware of being spied on. But this tiger is extremely careless; perhaps it's just a sudden attack on me."
Zhang Hu, oblivious to the commotion, wondered, "Could it really be just my imagination?" Completely unconcerned, he picked up his wine and drank heartily. He then took a tiger bone and fed it to the ferocious tiger that had overturned the river.
The disciples of the Tiger Luo Sect exchanged glances, each wanting to show their obsequiousness. They called out in unison, "Senior upstairs, Senior Zhang Hu of the Tai Xin Sect invites you. Why don't you come downstairs to meet him?"
Then he asked the innkeeper, "Innkeeper, are there any other people upstairs?" The innkeeper dared not hide anything and told him all the rooms where Li Xian and Wen Caishang were staying.
Three or five people went upstairs together, intending to personally invite him down. Li Xian and Wen Caishang exchanged a glance. At the last minute, a complication arose. Li Xian whispered in Wen Caishang's ear, telling her his plan. Wen Caishang nodded, finding it feasible.
Wen Caishang sat calmly in the room, with Li Xian standing beside her. Both appeared composed and serene. Before long, there was a knock on the door, and the disciples of the Tiger Luo Sect had arrived at the entrance.
"Seniors inside, please come downstairs for a drink!" the disciples of the Tiger Luo Sect called out loudly.
Ignoring the response, they exchanged a glance. As he knocked, he subtly channeled his inner energy, and with a loud bang, the door burst open. Li Xian coldly said, "You're courting death!" He picked up a teacup, filled it with tea, and threw the cup and water at the crowd.
The teacup flew through the air, the tea swirling rapidly. Wen Caishang nodded and said softly, "Little Fairy, you've really learned the essence of the Strange Man with the Cauldron on His Back."
The teacup flew close to the group. With a "crack," it shattered, sending the Tiger Luo Sect disciple flying backward in a disheveled state.
"That Senior Zhang Hu is not qualified to invite us down. It's quite a coincidence that we want to invite him for a drink."
Li Xian said loudly, "You all go down quickly and tell them... a lady has been waiting for you for a long time, please invite her upstairs for a chat!"
The disciples of Huluomen looked at each other in bewilderment and quickly went to deliver the message.
"Whose wife is so arrogant? Humph! Besides Lady Zhejian, who else do I fear?" Zhang Hu puffed out his chest and sneered, "So fierce and domineering, I'll go and meet you!" He rode his tiger upstairs.
Upon reaching the house, they saw Wen Caishang sitting calmly with a slight smile on her face. It was none other than Lady Zhejian, who looked terrified and was about to flee. Wen Caishang said, "It's a rare sight to see you. Where are you going? Why don't you come and have some wine before you go?"
Zhang Hu felt a chill run down his spine. He recalled their last encounter, when Wen Caishang was completely drained of her internal energy and severely injured. If she was just bluffing, wouldn't he miss a golden opportunity to capture her? He also thought that at this distance, if the lady wanted to kill him, he would have no chance of escape.
With his left and right dead, he entered the room and asked warily, "Wen Caishang, what are you doing here?"
Wen Caishang smiled and said, "What do you think?" She picked up her wine glass, poured a glass of wine, gently pushed it towards the glass, and said with a smile, "Please have a drink."
Zhang Hu's hair stood on end. The gentler Wen Caishang became, the more terrified he became. He dared not disobey, his mind completely blank. He blankly picked up the wine cup and drank it down with trembling hands.
Wen Caishang asked, "Is it good?" Zhang Hu replied, "It's...it's good..."
Wen Caishang said, "Please drink some more." Zhang Hu let out a wail, his eyes reddening. Knowing he was doomed today, he picked up the wine and drank several more cups.
Wen Caishang said, "I originally planned to go to the Huluo Sect tomorrow to find you in person. I didn't expect to run into you now. Please have another drink."
Zhang Hu stammered, "Looking for...looking for me? Where's Li Quan? Where's Su Qiuwu?"
Wen Caishang laughed and said, "Of course you're dead. Otherwise, why would I have traveled thousands of miles to find you here?"
"Ah!" Zhang Hu was overwhelmed with grief and burst into tears. The Sword-Slaying Alliance, once a powerful force, had come to a tragic end.
Wen Caishang said, "I'm tired of killing. I'm inviting you to sit down and drink so that you can finish the food and drink and then commit suicide on the spot."
"Thank you, Madam, for your kindness in allowing me to commit suicide!" Zhang Hu felt a pang of sorrow. He continued drinking and eating, occasionally wailing.
After sweeping the table clean, Zhang Hu raised his palm, channeling his inner energy, intending to commit suicide. The disciples of the Tiger Luo Sect rushed forward, saying in fear, "Master Zhang, why must you do this! Even if there are grudges, please return to the Tiger Luo Sect to mediate!"
Zhang Hu sneered, "Go back to the Tiger Luo Sect to mediate? If you really go to the Tiger Luo Sect, your sect leader won't get away with it either. You'd better get out of here, or I'll be in an even worse state if I kill myself too late!"
He kicked everyone away. A heavy palm struck his chest, and with a thud, he committed suicide on the spot.
Wen Caishang remained calm and dignified, saying, "Whoever wants to drink, please come to the table." Although the disciples of the Tiger Luo Sect did not know Wen Caishang's name, they were all terrified by her dignified beauty and the fact that she could kill a master with just a few words.
"If you do not drink the wine, return to your sect on your knees," Li Xian shouted.
"Yes...yes!" The disciples of the Tiger Luo Sect all knelt and fled, their knees on the ground, but they were still running fast as they tried to escape.
Seeing the ferocious tiger beast with its fangs bared, Li Xian swung his sword and killed the River-Turning Tiger on the spot!
"This place is foul and filthy. Please find another place to stay," Wen Caishang said calmly.
Li Xian replied, "Yes, Madam."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
