Chapter 270: Entering the Flower Cage, Tigers and Wolves Arrive? A Deep Fate, Feeding a Beauty
The river rippled gently, bathed in the warm spring sunshine. Amidst the surging waves, Li Xian had mistakenly boarded a pirate ship and was now surrounded by a group of enemies. These enemies were numerous and powerful, possessing masterful formations and ready to pounce.
turn out to be…
Li Xian leaped across the riverbed, but the river's course was complex, winding and twisting with numerous branches and forks. Unbeknownst to him, he entered a tributary of the Biyue River, swept along by its currents, sometimes heading north, sometimes west…
In the midst of the twists and turns, they unexpectedly encountered the "Flower Cage Gate" pirate ship. It is said that there was a group of Flower Cage Gate pirates between Chongling Prefecture and Nanwang City.
He and his men captured the "Niece of the Southern Prince's Mansion," and the Southern Prince's Mansion held a heroes' banquet, calling on righteous heroes of the martial world to help capture her. The operation was a grand spectacle, aimed at eliminating the Flower Cage Thief. However, the Flower Cage Clan was extremely adept at escaping, and even the most elaborate net could be found with gaps, allowing some to slip through.
They disguised themselves as "merchants" and sailed on the river. The leader was named "Ye Cheng," a middle-aged man with a handsome appearance and refined demeanor, but his methods were very decisive.
He led his group of Flower Cage Sect disciples safely across the river, and seeing that the crisis was over, he suddenly saw Li Xian appear. Without saying a word, he ordered his execution.
Li Xian was quick-witted. In the instant he was surrounded, his mind raced. He first heard them talking about "the constable," "his whereabouts," and so on. He deduced that they must be fugitives.
Moreover, the number of people was large. The pursuit would undoubtedly be immense. Recalling his escape along the way, Li Xian immediately thought of the "Heroes' Banquet at the Southern King's Mansion." He began to suspect that the people on the boat came from the Flower Cage Sect.
However, based solely on this, how can one draw a conclusion? The world of martial arts is vast and ever-changing. Li Xian observed his surroundings again and vaguely saw that the disciples' formation subtly resembled the "Eight Trigrams," which coincided with the "Intestine-Panning Step."
The guess became more certain. At this moment, the bandits of the Flower Cage Sect attacked and killed. Li Xian had no choice but to gamble; if all else failed, he would have to break off all ties and find another way to survive.
Upon hearing this, the bandits' expressions turned suspicious, but their killing intent ceased. They simply circled around him. This encirclement consisted of seventeen people; their footsteps were chaotic yet orderly, the sound of their footsteps frequent.
It vaguely had the effect of confusing the mind. Li Xian saw their figures shifting and moving, and double images appeared before his eyes, one becoming three, three becoming ten, ten becoming a hundred... In a hazy state, it felt as if he were surrounded by hundreds or thousands of people. Those with less courage, seeing this situation, would surely surrender without resistance, fearing they would die under a hail of blows.
This is the "Floral Splendor Array," which has the power to "dazzle the eyes" and "bewitch the heart." The Flower Cage Sect uses this array so that even ordinary disciples can capture the female warrior by secretly spreading poison and setting up the array.
Li Xian also felt a sense of chaos. He secretly played the "Guardian Body Melody," guarding his mind and remaining steadfast.
Ye Cheng put his hands behind his back and said, "Oh? You say you are a disciple of the Flower Cage Sect, but do you have any proof? What is your name?"
Li Xian said, "My surname is Hua, and my given name is Wu Cuo."
He wanted to use a pseudonym. But in his haste, he didn't bother to think of a surname, so he stuck with "Hua" (花). However, if he chose "Manlou" (满楼) as his given name, he feared being traced and would cause trouble, so he blurted out "Wu Cuo" (无错).
"Hua Wucuo." Ye Cheng pondered carefully, then clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Hua Wucuo, Hua Wucuo... Good! What's wrong with our Hualong Sect? Hahaha."
The thieves all burst into laughter. Their hostility towards Li Xian lessened considerably. Ye Cheng then asked, "How can I be sure you're not the head constable?"
Li Xian said, "I have always been sworn enemies with the head constable. To tell you the truth... I was being chased and fled to the river in a sorry state. That's how I met you brothers."
"Brothers, you might want to consider this. How formidable are the escape techniques of our Flower Cage Sect? If I were a shopkeeper, could I really find them? Even a divine constable would find it difficult, wouldn't he?"
"If I were the head constable, wouldn't it be courting death if I boarded the boat alone?"
Ye Cheng nodded and said, "While there is some truth to that, it only proves that you are not the head constable. However... it still does not prove that you are a member of my Flower Cage Sect."
"I'll give you another chance. Try to prove yourself. If you can't prove yourself, even if there's a possibility of mistaken killing, I won't let you off the hook."
Li Xian said, "Please look at the token." He took out the "Flower Cage Sect" token from his chest. This item was made by Gu Shuntong, a disciple of the Flower Cage Sect.
In the past... Li Xian was a military officer, enjoying immense prestige. Lin Aoshan, the young matriarch of the Qiongtian Lin clan, invited him to eliminate the remnants of the Hualong gang in order to gain merit.
Among them was a disciple of the Flower Cage Sect, who possessed exceptional talent and the [Snake Bone Appearance]. Li Xian killed him, touched his remains, and obtained items such as the "Gang Thunder Finger" and the "Flower Cage Token".
He had always carried it with him, and now it came in handy. Ye Cheng raised his hand and inhaled, holding the Flower Cage Token in his palm. He examined it closely and confirmed that it was indeed genuine.
He tossed it back and said calmly, "Although you possess the token, it's difficult for you to prove your identity. Have you ever practiced our sect's martial arts?"
Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "I was just starting out in the sect when I was hunted down. Before I could learn anything, I was separated from everyone. I barely escaped with my life and ended up on this merchant ship. If even the token can't prove my worth, then... I have nothing more to say."
He retreated in order to advance.
The disciples of the Flower Cage Sect nodded secretly. Since joining the sect, enduring wind and rain, sleeping in the open, and being hunted and besieged had become commonplace. The situation described by Li Xian was something that most of the bandits had experienced to varying degrees.
Ye Cheng still couldn't be sure if Li Xian was real or not. But observing the expressions of the disciples, he couldn't help but think: "This boy may not be a disciple of my Flower Cage Sect, but he is probably not the head constable. His words just now resonated with the disciples. If I kill him now, the disciples will inevitably speculate... If he seeks help from his fellow disciples later, will he be killed on the spot because he cannot prove his innocence?"
"Since he is neither a constable nor is he being hunted, it is likely true. In this situation, it would not be unreasonable to give him some leeway."
He said loudly, "Very well, although you have the token, your understanding of the art is still shallow. I will take the token back; you are now considered a half-disciple. Qiao Sanyan, take him to his lodgings, change his clothes, and get some rest."
Qiao Sanyan replied, "Yes!" He was tall and had a strong voice. He smiled kindly at Li Xian.
Li Xian calmly returned the greeting, inwardly thinking, "These thieves are quite particular." At least he was somewhat settled. As soon as the boat docked, he immediately fled. He was at the second level of martial arts, and he sank as soon as he entered the water. His agility was far inferior to that of a first-level martial artist.
Qiao Sanyan smiled and said, "Brother Hua, it's normal for us disciples of the Flower Cage Sect to be hunted down. There's no need to be sad."
Li Xian said, "I have recovered. Heaven has been kind to me and allowed me to meet you all." Qiao Sanyan laughed heartily, patted Li Xian on the shoulder, and said, "Indeed, you have survived a great calamity and are sure to have good fortune in the future. Don't think too much about it."
As they talked, they arrived at a houseboat. The door was low, and the oil lamp flickered. The mottled wooden walls were covered in mold, making it extremely damp and stuffy.
Li Xian was tall and had to stoop to enter the room. Inside was a wooden bed and a wooden table. As the river lapped against the boat, the bed and table creaked and groaned.
Li Xian tried lying on the bed. He had to curl up, as the bed was very sturdy. It was no different from sleeping on the floor.
Qiao Sanyan smiled and said, "This is the treatment for a nominal disciple. Once you become a disciple with a token, you can move into a larger room."
Li Xian said, "Senior Brother Qiao, I was hunted down as soon as I entered the Flower Cage Sect. I haven't had time to learn about the sect's rules yet. Could you please tell me?"
Qiao Sanyan said, "Of course, of course. Hmm... Brother Hua... you seem quite handsome." He used the candlelight to illuminate Li Xian's face.
Li Xian was soaking wet, her hair disheveled. Her face was initially hidden, but now that she was out of danger, she swept her long hair back, revealing her features. Qiao Sanyan gradually noticed her.
Li Xian said, "It's just a physical appearance." Qiao Sanyan clicked his tongue in amazement and said, "Our Flower Cage Sect, speaking of which... is truly a super sect that resounds throughout the Great Wu!"
Li Xian thought, "I'm afraid he's infamous." Qiao Sanyan said, "Look at the disciples of ordinary sects, who isn't from a prestigious family? Ordinary poor children can hardly reach the Food Essence Realm in their entire lives. It's not that they lack ability, but that they have no way to find it."
"Our Flower Cage Clan advocates education for all. All who enter our clan are regardless of their background or status. We are of humble origin, and the only way for us to advance our careers is through this path. Therefore... Brother Flower, you should cherish this opportunity."
Li Xian, despite his frail health, sought the path of martial arts and endured countless hardships, thus he somewhat agreed with this statement. While the Flower Cage Sect was indeed shameful, it was a path rarely available for ordinary people seeking advancement. Although this path was crooked and deviant, it was still a "path."
Qiao Sanyan continued, "I know you've just joined the Flower Cage Sect. You know what we do and you dislike it. But I'll tell you a secret, and you'll understand... In this martial world, there's no such thing as good or evil."
Li Xian asked curiously, "Senior Brother Qiao, please speak."
Qiao Sanyan sat on the bed and gently patted Li Xian's shoulder. The cramped room barely accommodated the two of them. He said, "Do you know why my Flower Cage Sect, despite being besieged so many times, always manages to escape? It's certainly because we are extremely skilled at escaping. But... there's another reason."
"Sometimes, those who commission us will openly issue warrants for our arrest. Their pursuit may seem meticulous, but they deliberately leave loopholes. We always manage to slip through, so the Flower Cage Gate will continue to open."
"Reputable sects, dignified and righteous, yet utterly disgusting. We are of humble origins, born petty people. So what if we've always been this way? What does it matter if we pee?"
Li Xian said, "Brother Qiao is right." He thought to himself, "The martial world is like this great river. It looks beautiful on the surface, but it is actually full of silt. If you stir it up, the water will become muddy... How can you tell who is good and who is bad, who is clear and who is muddy? All I can do is stick to my principles and forge ahead."
"If you're talking about a good person... I'm afraid I wouldn't call myself one."
Qiao Sanyan said, "I suppose Junior Brother Hua is not yet familiar with the details of my Flower Cage Sect. Let me tell you, and you must remember them well."
He immediately explained the sect rules and regulations, the hierarchy, etc. Li Xian knew he wouldn't stay here for long, but he pretended to be polite and took notes carefully.
Flower cage gates have four types: "miscellaneous crowd", "registered name", "token", and "stamp".
Li Xian was ranked below "registered disciple," a very low position. Qiao Sanyan said, "Junior Brother Hua, don't worry. Just perform well, and you'll soon be recorded in the roster and become a registered disciple. As for becoming a token disciple, that's not difficult either. But becoming a 'stamped disciple' is a bit more difficult."
...
After a brief conversation, Qiao Sanyan, having other business to attend to, took his leave. Two maids came and brought him change of clothes. Li Xian smiled and said, "Thank you!" before accepting the clothes.
The maidservants stood guard on either side of the door.
Li Xian closed the door. He gently patted the clothes; they were ordinary cloth garments, made of rather rough material, with little to no craftsmanship. To be on the safe side, fearing the clothes might contain poison, he gathered three flowers on his forehead, opened his mouth, and spat them out.
The air was fresh and clean, and the clothes were brand new. After confirming there were no poisonous devices, I changed into them. I then tidied up all my belongings.
Li Xian calmed himself and looked around, pondering his current situation. Wen Caishang was seeking revenge in the distance, while he was trapped in the Flower Cage Gate. The situation was extremely dire.
The boathouse had no windows, and Li Xian opened his double pupils. Through the wooden wall, he could see the surging river. He vaguely knew that the pleasure boat had weighed anchor and begun its journey again.
"If the time is right, I will escape by diving into the river again and leave this ship. But this must not be rushed and must be done discreetly. Otherwise, if the skilled men on the ship jump into the river to capture me, it will be very difficult for me to escape."
Li Xian frowned, staring at the swaying oil lamp. Half an hour passed, and Li Xian pushed open the door, intending to use the excuse of going out for fresh air and resting, so he could choose a better opportunity to escape.
The two maids stretched out their hands to block them. They said in unison, "Go back. Elder Wuye has ordered that you are not allowed to go out."
Li Xian said, "Why are the other disciples..." A maid said, "Although you have a token, you don't understand our sect's martial arts. This is suspicious, and Elder Ye doesn't fully trust you."
Li Xian remained silent. The matter had been rushed; even with his silver tongue, he couldn't possibly explain it convincingly. It was bound to contain many flaws. Ye Cheng, being extremely cautious, naturally didn't believe him.
Close the door.
Knowing that fear was useless, Li Xian silently recited the "Guardian Body Sound," which lingered in his mind, calming his breath and extinguishing his desires. He sat cross-legged, circulating the impurities of his five internal organs, and internally practicing the "Five Internal Organs Avoiding Impurities and Gathering Yang Meridian."
[Your five internal organs' function of circulating fluids has been improved; proficiency increased by 1.]
...
[The Five Viscera Avoid Turbidity and Meet Yang Classic]
[Proficiency: 656/800 (Beginner)]
Li Xian, by nature carefree, was now completely at peace. His spirit soared, roaming freely across the heavens and earth. Gazing at the green mountains and the flowing river, he felt utterly relaxed.
Another hour passed.
The proficiency of the Five Viscera's Expelling Turbidity and Meeting Yang Meridian has accumulated to [668], showing significant progress, with abundant blood and vigorous Qi. Just then, there was a knock on the door.
A maidservant said, "Hua Wucuo, Elder Ye wants to see you."
Li Xian frowned. Maintaining her composure, she pushed open the door and said, "Please lead the way." Two maids, one in front and one behind, led the way.
Li Xian secretly became wary, guarding against any trouble from the two maids. His keen observation revealed that the two women moved in unison, their breathing identical; they must have both practiced some kind of martial art.
The merchant ship was very large, with four decks. Li Xian was on the first deck. After turning a narrow bend, he saw the ordinary disciples' quarters.
A row of rooms stretched out, a dozen or so on the left and a dozen or so on the right… each room housed two people. The spaces were relatively spacious. All the doors were open, and the stench of tobacco, feet, armpits, and excrement wafted out.
Mixed in with the unique salty, damp, and fishy stench of the river. Li Xianchao peered into the room and saw several people gathered together, playing dominoes, dice games, and various other forms of gambling and entertainment.
It's incredibly noisy.
Suddenly, a shout rang out. Several people playing dominoes cursed and yelled, some of them cheating, and a verbal altercation broke out. They started punching and kicking each other, wrestling and fighting.
Li Xian sighed, "How could a sect with such a prestigious reputation have such disciples?"
They reached a flight of stairs. A maid behind Li Xian nudged his shoulder and said, "Hurry up." Li Xian frowned and went up the stairs.
A faint incense scent lingered on the second floor. The environment was several times better, with very few people around, and all the doors were closed. The maidservant in front of her said, "Take it easy. These are all disciples with orders. If you disturb their practice, they may kill you."
Li Xian said, "Alright then." She tiptoed and looked around. The second-floor corridor was spacious, with jade porcelain and other items placed in the corners. It already showed elegance.
He wanted to take this opportunity to familiarize himself with the layout of the ship. If things became extremely dangerous, his only option was to jump into the river and escape, fighting to the death. However, the ship's corridors were winding and labyrinthine, much like the winding paths that led to the tomb of "Lü Dongzhi" in the mountains.
Wandering aimlessly will surely lead to getting lost, or even walking into a trap.
Li Xian remained secretly on guard, knowing that this ship held a hidden secret. They quickly ascended to the third floor. There was only one residence there, extremely luxurious, resembling a mansion. It was planted with flowers, trees, and shrubs, and had a pond with golden carp.
Ye Cheng was being served by women. They massaged his shoulders and legs, loosened his waist and pressed his head, fed him fruit and played the zither... not a single part of his body was at peace.
The second maid knelt on both knees and said respectfully, "Master, the person has been brought."
Ye Cheng looked up. The women immediately stopped what they were doing and helped him put on his clothes. They then skillfully stepped aside. Ye Cheng said, "Hua Wucuo... come in."
A pleasant fragrance wafted from within. Ye Cheng approached, looking closely, and was quite surprised, not expecting this young man to be so handsome.
Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "Elder!" Ye Cheng said, "I'm too lazy to dwell on the past. I can see that you are definitely not a disciple of my Flower Cage Sect."
Li Xian calmly asked, "Then why is Elder Ye..." Ye Cheng replied, "I can see that you are being chased. Let me ask you, I'm giving you a chance now: join my Flower Cage Sect, will you or won't you?"
Li Xian has always despised the Flower Cage Sect and would always kill any Flower Cage Sect thieves he encountered. However, fate has other plans, and he is now faced with an enormous dilemma.
Ye Cheng said, "If you join the sect, your name will be recorded. If you don't join..." He remained silent.
However, the women who had served him earlier were all secretly channeling their inner energy. If Li Xian dared to shake his head, they would launch a series of attacks. Li Xian had experienced the Flower Cage Sect's "array formations" and knew that although this sect was wicked, its martial arts were extremely profound. This array of women was definitely stronger than the previous Blooming Flowers array.
He considered himself quite capable. However, he was unsure of his opponent's abilities. Moreover, Ye Cheng was undoubtedly extremely powerful, and if they were to engage in a direct confrontation, his chances of survival would be slim.
Li Xian thought to himself, "I'll pretend to be registered first, and then find a way to escape." He said, "It's exactly what I wanted, so of course I'll be registered."
A maid in a colorful skirt took out a register. It was made by "Bizhu" and was very short and thin. She engraved the three characters "Hua Wucuo" on the bamboo register.
She then whistled softly, and a colorful dove flew into her hand. She tied the bamboo book to the dove's claw, held it to the window with both hands, and released it.
Ye Cheng nodded and said, "Actually... whether you join the Flower Cage Sect or not makes no difference to me. But I find you pleasing to the eye and always feel that you can achieve something and make a name for yourself."
"I wouldn't mind giving you a hand."
A maidservant said, "Why don't you thank your master?"
Ye Cheng retorted, "Stop being so noisy! When a man is speaking, what right do women have to interrupt?"
The maid said, "Yes, yes, it's this lowly servant's fault." She immediately knelt down, her whole body trembling.
Ye Cheng laughed and said, "Hua Wucuo, you should perform well. If you achieve something in the future, you may choose one of my many maids to take with you."
Li Xian said, "Thank you for your kindness, Elder." Ye Cheng said, "You said you were being chased, but now that you're on my pleasure boat, that person probably won't be able to catch you."
Li Xian asked, "Why?"
Ye Cheng laughed and said, "My pleasure boat looks ordinary on the outside. It looks like a merchant boat on the river, but it contains the mysteries of the universe and involves the miscellaneous knowledge of feng shui. Alas, you would not understand if I told you all this, so it is useless to talk about it. You should go back to your residence."
"Tomorrow at the hour of Yin or Mao, you must go to the deck to assemble. Now that you have entered my Flower Cage Gate, you must learn the essential methods. You will first follow him and others to practice for three days."
Ye Cheng laughed and said, "Judging from your footwork, you must have some martial arts skills. Well, I'm too lazy to investigate the past. Almost all the disciples on this ship brought their masters with them. Our Flower Cage Sect teaches without discrimination. Whether one can climb the ranks depends entirely on one's own abilities."
"Within our Flower Cage Sect, there is no shortage of outstanding individuals who have risen from poverty to achieve great things. Here, as long as you are diligent and hardworking, anything is possible."
"You may go now."
Li Xian replied, "Yes!"
Two maids led the way back to his room. Li Xianping composed himself and assessed his situation. He was in the midst of two great dangers: Wen Caishang and the Flower Cage Gate.
If he were to escape at this point, two major dangers would befall him simultaneously, putting him in a perilous situation as he would be pursued by Su Qiuwu and his men. If he remained on the ship, now that he was on the register, Ye Cheng might not dare to harm him.
Moreover, Ye Cheng said... this ship contains a secret, which can help her escape pursuit. Wen Caishang is incredibly capable; the secret within the ship might not be able to hinder her. Whether she can find it is truly uncertain.
But… Li Xian thought to himself. Even if he fled alone, it would be slower than taking a boat. Considering the pros and cons… staying on the boat and joining the Flower Cage Sect was indeed the best option.
Li Xian was on the verge of tears: "I originally wanted to join the Yue Shan Sword Sect, a prestigious and righteous sect, where I could be dashing and respected. How did things turn out so unexpectedly that I became a disciple of the Flower Cage Sect?"
"So be it... Just stick to the bottom line. No matter where I am, I am just me. With a calm mind, every path is a smooth road."
Don't overthink. Remove impurities, nourish blood, and strengthen the body.
[You moved dirty items, skill level +1]
...
Before long, it was the hour of Yin (3-5 AM). A commotion arose on the ship as the disciples dressed and gathered on the deck. Li Xian followed the crowd, standing in a corner.
The pleasure boat needed to be disguised during the day. There was nowhere for everyone to practice martial arts, so they waited until nightfall before coming out onto the deck to practice.
Qiao Sanyan said, "Junior Brother Hua, you have just joined the sect, so I will first teach you the 'Small Steps of the Intestines'. Remember it well."
He then practiced it several times. The "Pan Chang Bu" (盘肠步) is not a martial art, but rather a way of walking. Through physical expression, it makes one appear to be walking to the right when walking to the left.
Use flexibly.
Hidden in the dense forest, obscured by vegetation, he moved erratically, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes to the east, sometimes to the west… Anyone who momentarily lost focus would find it impossible to track his movements.
Li Xian practiced according to the instructions. He was very intelligent and quickly grasped the essentials. His steps were extremely chaotic, even stronger than many of the older disciples.
He mastered the techniques and applied them flexibly. He further incorporated his understanding of "Four Directions Fist," making his Pan Chang Step even more bewildering. This place was the deck of a ship, open and unobstructed.
Outsiders couldn't see anything amiss.
However, if this were in a dense forest, Li Xian's escape would be enough to knock out anyone nearby. Qiao Sanyan asked curiously, "Brother Hua, have you learned the Pan Chang Bu (a martial arts technique)?"
Li Xian said, "Someone taught me, but I didn't have time to practice it."
Qiao Sanyan exclaimed, "Then you are truly remarkable! The Pan Chang Bu (盘肠步) technique is neither particularly difficult nor easy. Yet some people spend their entire lives trying to learn it, while others master it in an instant."
Li Xian said, "Senior Brother Qiao, are there any other martial arts techniques you can teach me?" Since he had decided to stay on the ship for the time being, he was determined to learn as much martial arts as possible.
Even basic martial arts techniques are precious. Qiao Sanyan hesitated, "This...this is probably inappropriate. Even basic martial arts techniques require..."
Ye Cheng said, "It's alright, let's make an exception and teach him one skill first."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Sanyan immediately taught Li Xian the "Flying Snake Hand." Although it was a basic martial art, Li Xian still practiced diligently on the deck for two hours.
[Flying Snake Hand]
[Proficiency: 369/500 (Beginner)]
...
It was past dawn. The disciples returned to their cabins, and the pleasure boat sailed quietly.
Early morning.
The river was shrouded in mist. On the first floor, a stove was being lit to cook simple dishes: boiled beans, pumpkin soup, shredded pork with cauliflower, and so on. Li Xian held a wooden bowl, content with a simple meal, asking for nothing more.
"Um...new guy, have you finished eating?"
The disciple holding the order, named "Wang Zekai," greeted him.
Li Xian said, "That's right."
Wang Zekai said, "Alright... You're quite handsome. Take these two portions of soup and feed them to those two women."
"Don't blame me for not warning you. Those two women are beautiful, but don't get lustful towards them. Although they can't move, hehe, they have very strong tempers. If you get your ears bitten off, hehe, you'll have to consider yourself unlucky."
"If you have the ability to get them to take a bite, then you'll be considered amazing and rewarded with a tael of silver."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
