Chapter 269 Knowing the Man is Not His Wife, Colorful Robes Seek the Door, A Strange Encounter at the Bottom of the River, Accidentally Boarding a Pirate Ship
Wen Caishang stood serenely, carefully arranging her hair and adjusting her silver hairpin. Her beautiful eyes held a mixture of anger and joy; like a silkworm searching for silk, she knew Li Xian must be here. Her hands were clasped in front of her abdomen, her demeanor cool and aloof. Bathed in moonlight, she seemed to be surrounded by a halo of light.
This long dress cascades to the ground, exuding elegance and grace. Named "Moonlight Visiting Fairy Dress," it signifies that the dress is made of a special material that can trap moonlight, making the wearer appear like a fairy.
Footsteps echoed inside the courtyard.
Someone muttered, "Who could it be so late?" and pushed open the vermilion gate. The man was clearly wealthy, dressed in brocade robes.
It was indeed "Tian Fu".
When Tian Fu saw Wen Caishang, he was momentarily stunned. He thought to himself, "How strange... how come everyone these days is so beautiful? Could it be that celestial beings have descended to earth?"
He was a local tyrant, and also a womanizer. Enjoying flowers and the moon, and indulging in romantic pleasures, was commonplace for him. But compared to others, his behavior was undeniably vulgar.
Seeing Wen Caishang's slightly furrowed brows, he was momentarily lost in thought, feeling inexplicably shy. He bowed and asked, "This..." He wanted to call her "Miss," but Wen Caishang possessed a captivating charm, with no trace of youthful naiveté in her expression. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, as if she were seeking pleasure with her lover.
He should address her as "Madam." He then said, "Madam, are you also... here to see the mansion?"
Wen Caishang thought to herself, "That poor boy Li Xian, without me, where would he get the money to buy a mansion? It turns out he's using the job of looking after houses to swindle and cheat people out of their treasures. He knows the recipe for Golden Light and accidentally obtained the Yellow Ginseng, so naturally he's planning this."
No one knows a man better than his wife. Li Xian was someone she had personally groomed. It was a secret within the clan, something she hadn't revealed to him. But she knew Li Xian's character and temperament perfectly.
Wen Caishang laughed and said, "Of course. Otherwise, would it be fun for me to come here in the middle of the night?"
Tian Fu said with difficulty, "Unfortunately, a very important person has taken a fancy to this mansion." Wen Caishang smiled even more and asked, "Who is this important person? He shouldn't have paid any money, right? Since he hasn't paid any money, can I take a look at the mansion?"
Tian Fu said, “No money was paid. But… this person likes peace and quiet. We verbally agreed to let him stay for a few days to experience the tranquility. If it suits him, he will make a purchase. Even if the deal doesn’t go through, it’s not good to offend such a person. So, I’m really sorry, madam.”
Wen Caishang chuckled inwardly: "You little rascal, you not only lied to me, but you also fooled others terribly. Your mouth... it's so sweet when you're saying sweet words, but it's utterly despicable when you're lying."
She said, "If you're afraid of offending him, aren't you afraid of offending me? Take me inside, I'll look around the house and admire the flowers. If I run into him, I'll go and explain myself."
She flicked her sleeve. Tian Fu felt dizzy and lightheaded. When he regained his senses, he found himself on solid ground, several feet away from the vermilion gate on the bluestone path in the courtyard. He was horrified; if this lady wanted to kill him, it would be extremely easy.
Wen Caishang stood a few feet away from him, glancing into the distance, and said softly, "Lead the way."
Seeing this, Tian Fu could not refuse. He straightened his jade pendant, hair ornament, and jade belt, and then led the way to tour the garden.
Wen Caishang said, "Tell me everything he said and did." Tian Fu was taken aback: "Why?"
Wen Caishang said softly, "Don't ask too many questions." She seemed slightly annoyed. Tian Fu didn't want to ask any more questions, so he did as she said.
They passed by the "Green Pine Stone" spot. Tian Fu recounted what Li Xian had said, with some minor discrepancies in the details, but the gist was the same.
Wen Caishang recalled the old manor where the two of them strolled hand in hand. She taught Li Xian how to appreciate things and scenery, and that little rascal Li Xian actually used it here.
Wen Caishang said softly, "That's absolutely right. But it's not entirely right either. This green pine stone doesn't come from Su Mountain."
Tian Fu said, "Madam...this..." He thought to himself, when he spent money to buy it, the merchant himself said so, how could it be fake?
Wen Caishang laughed and said, "He... is only half-baked at this point. He's more than capable of fooling you, but he still needs to practice a lot more in appreciating and appraising objects."
Her voice was soft and sweet as she gently stroked the turquoise stone, saying, "Look at this stone, it's as smooth and lustrous as jade, half green and half yellow. The patterns are natural, formed by the flow of water. It's truly a 'sealing stone' from the bottom of the river. You've been deceived."
“These kinds of stones are cold and never see the sun, but because they are somewhat similar in shape to turquoise, they are passed off as inferior.”
Tian Fu said, "How is that possible?"
Wen Caishang said, "If you don't believe me, I'll split it open." She drew her sword with a flick of her sleeve and effortlessly cleaved the boulder. Yellowish water flowed out from within…
It is turbid water that has accumulated at the bottom of the river year-round.
Wen Caishang said, "The 'Yatang Stone' comes from the bottom of the lake. After being soaked in water, it contains yellow water. It is considered a bad feng shui object. You are vain and greedy, and you use your family's wealth to personally decorate the courtyard of your mansion. However... how could you possibly understand the intricacies involved? Naturally, you have been deceived without even realizing it."
"I was warned long ago that I would have to sell my house."
Tian Fu was stunned and speechless, standing there dumbfounded. Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Quickly lead the way, where is he going next?"
Tian Fu responded three times, his attitude subtly changing. He respectfully led the way, passing through many courtyards such as "Calligraphy and Painting Pavilion", "Grass and Tree Corridor", and "Artificial Mountain and Stone Forest".
A few days ago, Li Xian displayed his talent and spoke eloquently. Tian Fu was extremely impressed and remembered many of his remarks, which he then recounted one by one.
Wen Caishang first listened to Tian Fu recount Li Xian's words, shaking her head and chuckling lightly, her expression lively. The gloom of the past few days seemed to dissipate, as if Li Xian were right beside her, watching him swindle and deceive, finding it utterly amusing. But after each retelling, she would always point out his mistakes and offer a more in-depth analysis.
It is necessary to outmaneuver Li Xian.
She was both learned and broad-minded. Given enough time, a single painting, a blade of grass… could spark a multitude of miscellaneous studies. Three days and three nights wouldn't be enough to cover everything. If Li Xian were here, she would gladly share her knowledge, strolling and flirting. But Wen Caishang had limited patience and was too lazy to talk much with Tian Fu. When it came to appreciating objects and scenery, she would simply refute Li Xian's opinions or point out his errors, and then stop.
At the end, they would always add a few curses such as "that brat," "that scoundrel," and "that brat."
Tian Fu was astonished by Wen Caishang's extensive knowledge. He had always heard Wen Caishang belittle and criticize Li Xian, which he found strange. Although the young master's words were sometimes wrong, he was elegant and truly insightful. Later, he gradually realized that the two had another relationship.
Tian Fu asked, "Madam, if I may ask, what is your relationship with that young man...?"
Wen Caishang stopped and said with a hint of resentment, "He is my husband."
"Ah!" Tian Fu said, "Then...then they are indeed a good match." Wen Caishang was delighted and said, "Alright. Call him out, I'll take him back to the manor."
"And this mansion?" Tian Fu asked, stunned.
Wen Caishang shook her head and said, "Don't you understand? My husband is all talk and no action. He's a womanizer and a philanderer. I bet all his money has gone into clothes. Can he afford this mansion? All that talk about tranquility is just a ploy to get me to stay here for a few days."
Tian Fu said, "This...this..." Wen Caishang said, "But I am different. Buying this house of yours is extremely easy. If he really likes it, I will let him. Anyway...call him out. Take him to the pavilion in the lake."
Wen Caishang said, "He should be in a secret room."
Tian Fu said, "Young Master... Young Master is truly fortunate to have won your favor."
Wen Caishang said resentfully, "Of course." She walked gracefully to the pavilion in the middle of the lake, rested her hand on her cheek, and said again, "But this brat doesn't know what's good for him."
Tian Fu said, "I'll go and call them right now."
He knew the location of the secret chamber. In his early years, he had been supported by his family and practiced martial arts, reaching the level of "Eating Essence" early on. This threshold, which is difficult for ordinary martial artists to cross in their lifetime, was extremely easy for scions of noble families. However, later on, he lacked the talent for martial arts and could not grasp the essence of the Tian family's martial arts, so he gradually changed direction and went into business and management.
Naturally, he received less of the clan's most prized possessions. This secret chamber was originally built for meditation. Later... after he had wives and concubines, he often came here for pleasure.
He easily navigated the familiar route and pushed open the door to the secret room. There was no one inside, but there was burnt-out wax. After searching it, he quickly returned and informed Wen Caishang of the situation.
Wen Caishang frowned slightly, then relaxed and spat, "If this kid were so easy to catch, I would have been dead long ago. The longer you run, the more I will punish you."
She had initially thought the house was acceptable. If she could capture Li Xian, she might stay there for pleasure and express her feelings. This wish was dashed, and she was slightly angry.
I will not linger any longer. I will ride the ancestral silkworm and seek silk once more.
turn out to be…
After practicing the "Five Organs Avoiding Turbidity and Gathering Yang Meridian," Li Xian's five senses became acutely acute. When he heard "Tian Fu" knocking on the door, he felt a vague unease.
“Now that Tian Fu has come, I can’t stay here. I’d better pack up and run. It’s not a good idea for me to keep being tossed around like this. Sigh… I need to think of a way to train quietly and improve my strength.”
Li Xian traveled light, acting on her impulse. She easily scaled the courtyard wall and slipped away under the cover of night. Tian Fu, unaware of this, searched the courtyard for a long time. Because the courtyard was quite large, although he couldn't find Li Xian, he hadn't realized she had already escaped.
Until Wen Caishang knocked on the door. He then entertained Wen Caishang, and the two of them admired the courtyard scenery again. This whole process had taken up quite a bit of time.
Along the post road outside the city.
After several days of rest, Li Xian had made significant progress in both martial arts and magic. After consuming "Huang Jiu Shen," five hundred strands of heaven and earth essence remained within his body. This essence would slowly digest, ensuring he wouldn't have to worry for several months.
A gentle breeze blows, and moonlight and dew fall. In the distance, towering mountains stand tall, and the river flows swiftly in the distance.
His hair fluttered as he pondered his future path.
I do not seek fame or renown among the feudal lords, but only a peaceful and carefree life. My goal is to become stronger, to help fulfill Lü Dongzhi's last wish, and to emulate the Eight Immortals crossing the sea and mastering the art of swordsmanship. As for the marriage contract, it is an age-old matter, and I have no intention of interfering.
He had recently heard that the Yueshan Sword Sect was actively recruiting disciples. The Yueshan Sword Sect was a renowned swordsmanship sect in southern Chongqing. Wen Caishang had also spoken highly of it, praising its profound swordsmanship and numerous martial arts principles worthy of study. Li Xian thought that if he could join the Yueshan Sword Sect, money, martial arts skills, and connections would all be readily available. Moreover, he had heard that this sect was highly righteous and its swordsmanship profound. Yueshan was a famous mountain, its scenery magnificent and shrouded in mist…
I can't help but yearn for it.
The Yuzhou-Nanzhou region comprises "seven prefectures, six states, and nine cities." Its territory is extremely vast. Li Xian traveled along the Benhua River, passing through Yuzhou and Longxiong… though the places he visited were far, he did not truly experience the immensity of the two regions.
Li Xian suppressed his distracting thoughts; since he was determined to flee, he would not rest easily. After several days of rest, he was full of energy. His internal organs were functioning properly, and his blood was being nourished and his body strengthened.
The post road winds its way through mountains and rivers.
He saw that the river was turbulent. Several times he wanted to take a boat, but after experiencing the process of "clear water rising and turbid water sinking", he wanted to stay away from the water.
This time it was the same, intending to turn into the mountain road and pass through dangerous mountains and treacherous terrain.
Suddenly, he felt a sense of unease, as if some great danger was about to find him. His mind raced, and he wondered, "Could it be that Black-Faced Bat King Master? Or the Luo family, or perhaps my wife?"
He had made many enemies, and among them, Wen Caishang was the most terrifying. Li Xian thought to himself, "If the Madam finds me, she will gouge out my eyes and cut off my legs... just like that old servant of the Idle Martial Pavilion."
His senses grew stronger, his heart burning with anxiety. His heart skipped a beat; he was almost certain Wen Caishang was nearby. This feeling was entirely inexplicable, a mere intuition. Yet, he was absolutely certain.
It is not actually intuition.
The two were bound by the Yin-Yang Immortal Couple Swords, their imprints deeply ingrained. Their unseen connection was quite ordinary.
Wen Caishang branded her sword mark, making Li Xian the sword master and Wen Caishang the sword servant. Li Xian felt a sense of fear, which he vaguely sensed. Therefore, whenever Wen Caishang appeared nearby, his heart burned with rage, and his intuition was intense.
Li Xian grew increasingly uneasy, seeing towering trees and mountains stretching as far as the eye could see. Several times he considered plunging into the forest, using the complex mountain terrain to escape. But upon closer reflection… who was Wen Caishang? Her feng shui and geomancy were unparalleled; she had found him precisely from hundreds or thousands of miles away. Could mere mountain terrain possibly hold him back?
Li Xianqiang tried to calm himself, but he felt that although the world was vast, there was no way to escape. Looking at the wide river, he suddenly thought, "The river is surging endlessly. I'm afraid this is the only way to escape. I've already changed all the silkworm silk, but Wen Caishang can still come. I must have something on me that can still help her pinpoint my location."
"I will jump into the river. The surging current may conceal my whereabouts. Even if it doesn't, I will be able to move much faster by being carried by the current."
Li Xian, with a "jade water pearl" in his mouth, jumped into the river.
In an instant, he felt incredibly heavy. He sank rapidly to the bottom of the river, the current washing over him. The deep, dark water held boundless terror. He used all his swimming skills, paddling and treading the water... moving forward and backward and sideways was effortless, but rising even a fraction of an inch to the surface was extremely difficult.
If one did not possess the "Azure Pearl," only drowning would be their fate. Li Xian used the current to propel himself forward, covering several meters in a single step, his speed unimaginable. But the sky was dark, and he was completely unaware of the outside time.
The deep, dark water disturbed the silkworms' senses. Wen Caishang frowned, sensing that Li Xian had a premonition of her presence and had devised another escape plan.
She sneered, "Good lad..."
However, the bottom of that river was more than ten feet deep.
Li Xian raised his "double pupils" to observe the details. The riverbed was thick and murky, and the wreckage of boats, skeletons, pythons, fish and beasts... flashed before his eyes.
Li Xian pressed a "green water bead" under his tongue, lit a stove in his belly, lit a fire, and boiled the water, exhaling white mist. The water instantly became clear.
Because the clear water rises and the turbid water sinks, he always kept his feet firmly on the riverbed. With each step, he inevitably stirred up the mud and sand, blurring his vision. Moreover, the river current always propelled him forward.
At first, the riverbed was dark and murky, with a rapid current. Other than that, it wasn't too bad. But after a while, the dangers in the river gradually became apparent.
Li Xian stepped into the mud, his right foot sinking deep into the mud. Rivers stretch for thousands of miles, and their bottoms are filled with many strange and unusual conditions. Here, silt accumulated for hundreds or thousands of years, eventually turning into a riverbed swamp.
He went through a process of "rising from the clear and descending from the turbid," sinking deeper and deeper, and was about to be swallowed by the silt.
Even with the Azure Water Pearl, it is still extremely dangerous.
Traveling underwater is an unusual tactic, but the dangers are far greater than on land. Li Xianqiang tried to remain calm, drew his River-Sinking Sword, and thought to himself with a hint of irony, "River-Sinking Sword, River-Sinking Sword, this time, we two brothers are really going to be drowning in the river."
He plunged his sword into the mud. He stirred it vigorously, and the mud, washed away by the water, became loose and murky. Li Xian used the momentum to pull out his right foot, paddled away, and moved several feet away.
But for dozens of miles after that, it was all mud and swamp. Li Xian used the current to carry him, and although he traveled quickly, covering several meters in a single stride, he always sank into the riverbed when he stepped on it.
Continue for several more miles.
Li Xian gradually realized that the mud at the bottom of the river was sticky and impenetrable. He could use rolling to prevent his feet from sinking into the mud, and it would be faster to travel and escape.
Li Xian was repeatedly hunted down, yet he gained experience with each battle. He continued to improve, becoming calmer in the face of danger. Although his current situation was forced upon him by Wen Caishang, he felt no resentment or bitterness. Because of his humble origins, he had risen through the ranks by leveraging power, and he knew he had to pay a higher price and be prepared for the pain of being devoured by that power.
The only way is to remain calm and seek change within stillness.
"But if we encounter this today, and have the opportunity in the future to truly defeat Madam, I will surely vent my anger. If I can completely conquer Madam with my strength, why would I still be so afraid of her?"
My heart burns with fierce passion, and I yearn to become stronger.
He used the water flow to wash over him, combined with the "Azure Palm" technique to propel himself forward. He leaped forward, covering several meters in an instant, but every half-meter he rose, the rising of clear water and the falling of turbid water would inevitably pull him down. It was as if he were an ordinary clay figure jumping on flat ground.
Li Xian was agile; every time he was about to land, he would roll over, never sinking into the mud.
As he leaped, a huge rock suddenly appeared at the bottom of the river, almost crashing down on him. Li Xian quickly waded through the water and narrowly avoided it.
I don't know how long we've been traveling.
The riverbed grew increasingly deep, emanating a faint chill. Suddenly, he cried out in alarm, his double pupils peering through the murky water to see a deep, vertical hole suddenly appearing in front of him on the riverbed.
It was pitch black, and the bottom could not be seen.
Li Xian hurriedly stopped. But the river was surging, and the deep cave suddenly appeared. Li Xian was being swept away by the current, so how could he stop so easily? He was pushed by the current to the top of the vertical cave and began to sink rapidly.
Li Xian quickly swam across the water, reaching the opposite cave wall before sinking to the bottom. He hurriedly reached out to grab the wall, but his hands were covered in mud and sand; how could he possibly keep his balance?
If they continued to sink endlessly, how could they survive? Li Xian quickly drew his sword and plunged it deep into the cave wall.
This dark cave seemed to have been carved out of the mud and sand. The cave walls were also made of mud and sand. Li Xian was sinking very fast. The Jiangchuan Sword was inserted into the sand wall several feet deep, but it was still slowly sinking.
Li Xian murmured, "It needs to go deeper." He secretly channeled his inner energy, and the sword light burst forth, the Sinking River Sword completely plunging into the sand wall. The sinking momentum slowed down by half a step.
Li Xian unleashed his power with both feet, using the "Vast Expansion Kick" with his left leg and the "Gentle Breeze Kick" with his right. He kicked deep into the quicksand wall, his calves disappearing into the sand for support.
Only then did it regain its balance and stop sinking. Li Xian breathed a sigh of relief.
“I was truly a young calf unafraid of tigers. I underestimated the dangers of nature. I thought that having left Tiger Cry Ridge, I had a rough understanding of dangerous places. This Green River, with people coming and going and boats coming and going... I thought there was nothing special about it. Relying on the wonder of the Green Water Pearl, I dared to jump into the great river.”
"However, strange sand caves suddenly appeared at the bottom of the river."
A chilling aura seeped into his skin. Li Xian circulated his qi to resist, yet his hands and feet still felt cold. He activated his double pupils, focusing his gaze on the depths of the cave. Suddenly, he felt a gaze upon him.
Immediately afterwards… the vertical shaft shook violently. Li Xian managed to stabilize himself, but due to the shaking of the mud and sand, the mud became loose and he gradually sank again.
Li Xian knew he couldn't linger here; there seemed to be something strange at the bottom of the cave. His double pupils vaguely revealed some scales, tombstones, and aquatic plants... resembling a giant tortoise carrying a large tomb.
But the giant tortoise was fast asleep.
Li Xian stabilized the situation and peered upwards. There were still ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) to the cave ceiling. Climbing up would resolve the danger. However, the river channel was wide and mysterious; whether there were other treacherous caves or other enormous creatures hidden within remained unknown.
This distance of ten zhang is extremely easy for a martial artist of the same level. But for Li Xian, it is as difficult as ascending to heaven. He pondered a countermeasure, but although he had many miscellaneous items around him, none of them could be of any use.
Li Xian, always quick-witted, soon devised a clever plan. He brandished his Jiang-sinking sword and burrowed into the sand wall. The sand was coarse, unlike the soft water. Once he was buried in the sand, he could no longer sink. He then moved within the sand, slowly "swimming" upwards.
After a tremendous struggle, he finally broke free of the sand. Having averted the danger, he dared not underestimate the situation any longer, and every step he took from then on was taken with utmost caution. Thanks to the power of his double pupils, he could clearly see the riverbed and avoid many perils in advance.
But some dangers are always present and extremely difficult to avoid. After traveling several dozen miles, there came to a dangerous place with abundant water and grass. Looking at it with double pupils, it resembled an oasis in the water, lush and green, teeming with fish and shrimp, beautiful and peaceful.
However, upon entering the area with aquatic plants, one could see that many black spots were attached to the fish and shrimp. These were some kind of blood-sucking venomous insects, extremely dangerous, capable of burrowing into human flesh. This was a body of water with an extremely dangerous reputation.
Furthermore, the fine hairs of the aquatic plants entangled living creatures, their fibers embedding themselves in the body and absorbing blood. Li Xian dared not force his way in and tried to climb ashore. However, he discovered that the mud in this area could repel poisonous insects and plants.
And so they got through it safely.
After traveling for about a day, Li Xian realized he had gone far enough that even with Wen Caishang's relentless pursuit, she couldn't catch up immediately. He considered escaping again by diving into the river, but the riverbed was fraught with danger, and his survival was uncertain. To perish at the bottom of the river would be truly humiliating. So he prepared to go ashore.
The river channel is wide.
To reach the shore, Li Xian first needed to find his way to the bank. He had to climb out of the water along the muddy, rocky banks. However, the river was wide, and being in the middle of it was pitch black, making it extremely difficult to distinguish directions.
Li Xian possesses double pupils and exceptional eyesight, allowing him to see and perceive far more than others. After clearly discerning his surroundings, he can determine a direction, walk sideways along the current, and always find his way to the shore.
He is extremely methodical in his actions. By applying simple principles to their fullest extent, he can always find a way out.
Suddenly, he felt his foot trip and kicked an extremely heavy iron object. Looking down, he saw it was the ship's anchor. Li Xian was delighted: "If I climb onto the ship using the anchor, I can escape by boat and save my energy."
He grabbed the iron chain and began to climb. As he emerged from the riverbed, the water became increasingly clear and warm. Having spent a day immersed in the river, Li Xian felt dampness seep into his body and a chill linger. Fortunately, he mastered the properties of "heart fire," using it to boil his blood to dispel the cold and expel the dampness.
Soon the hull of the boat came into view. Li Xian climbed up the hull, gradually emerging from the water, feeling a sudden lightness over his body. He felt incredibly refreshed, looking around to see a clear blue sky, not a cloud in sight, and the gentle, endless beauty of the water. Having experienced this, he knew he would have to carefully consider his next escape attempt by diving into the river in the future.
Getting to the riverbed wasn't difficult. But diving to the bottom was extremely difficult. Li Xian climbed onto the longboat, lay on the deck, and basked in the sun. Seeing that it was an ordinary merchant ship, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief; even if he was discovered, he would only need to pay the fine.
Before long, footsteps sounded, and more than ten people emerged from the cabin. They all looked at Li Xian with strange eyes, sizing him up and down.
One of them shouted, "Where did these pirates come from? Don't they have a death wish? How dare they get on our ship!"
Li Xian activated his "Heart Fire," dispelling the chill and warming his body. He smiled and said, "Gentlemen, I apologize. I am a merchant, and due to the strong winds and heavy rains on my journey, I accidentally fell into the water. After being swept away by the current, I bumped into this merchant ship and climbed aboard without permission."
"I am not a pirate. I borrowed your boat for a ride. As for the fare, I will make up for it."
The group exchanged glances, then suddenly burst into laughter, surrounding Li Xian in some kind of formation. They laughed and cursed, "Interesting, extremely interesting! This guy is probably the head constable; somehow he discovered our tracks, exposed our location, and is deliberately lying to deceive us."
"Indeed, there's no such coincidence in the world. But this fellow is quite something; our concealment methods are so effective, yet he still managed to find us."
"It's just luck. We..."
Amidst the commotion, two coughs were suddenly heard. The crowd parted to let out a middle-aged man.
He had thick, black hair, but his temples were turning gray. He was tall and handsome. He asked, "What's going on?"
A young disciple beside him whispered in his ear, explaining the situation. The middle-aged man said, "I see... We're being hunted, so let's not worry about whether this kid is real or not. Let's just kill him and feed him to the fish."
The crowd immediately surrounded them, wielding knives, spears, and clubs, ready to swarm them. Several of them, acting as the vanguard, even played chest drums, demonstrating their cultivation level of the Essence Devouring Realm!
Li Xian frowned, realizing this boat was unusual. The enemy outnumbered them, and the middle-aged man's strength was unfathomable. Surrounded by the river, the dangers were obvious. A direct confrontation would surely result in defeat, and escaping the river would be even more precarious.
Li Xian's mind raced as he carefully observed and sought a way to change the situation. Suddenly, he paused, realizing a crucial point, and said loudly, "Wait! It's a complete misunderstanding; we're all in this together."
"Oh?" the middle-aged man said, "What group? Tell me... which group are we in?"
Li Xian said, "I am also a disciple of the Flower Cage Sect."
(End of this chapter)
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