Chapter 282 The Legacy of the Candle Sect, Nangong's Shy Demeanor, Minor Success in the Internal Organs Scripture, Flawless Internal Organs
Shi Yufei stroked his beard and smiled. He observed that Li Xian possessed a handsome face and extraordinary bearing, displaying remarkable talent. Although young and inexperienced, he had the potential to be molded into a capable individual. The Flower Cage Sect's involvement in low-class activities seemed incongruous with his appearance and demeanor. He thought it would be a tremendous waste for Li Xian to merely be a flower thief. He then recalled the "Candle Sect" and pondered further... vaguely sensing that Li Xian bore a resemblance to the Candle Sect.
Li Xian asked, "The Candle Sect? I've heard Elder Ye mention it once." Shi Yufei replied, "Oh? That's quite rare."
Shi Yufei had a white beard and braids, a square face, and bright eyes. At first glance, he appeared kind and benevolent, but upon closer inspection, he possessed a hidden majesty. He was quite different from the ordinary, sleazy, and treacherous flower thieves.
Li Xian said, "Grand Envoy... if I may ask, could that Poison Flower Daoist Hao Qingshe, who is so arrogant and presumptuous, perhaps be a member of the Candle Sect?"
Shi Yufei said, "You are very clever. You must have realized that Hao Qingshe has a very special relationship with my Flower Cage Sect. Although she lives in the Water Altar, she does not obey orders."
Shi Yufei stroked his beard and said, "You guessed correctly. She is indeed a member of the Candle Sect."
Li Xian said, "But the Candle Sect has already..." Shi Yufei said, "The Candle Sect was destroyed, and its sparks were scattered all over the world. It is not surprising that the remnants and their followers have changed their appearance and still have descendants of the Candle Sect."
Li Xian understood. Shi Yufei continued, "Poison Flower Daoist Hao Qingshe... is ruthless and unreasonable. Over the years, she has acted willfully and recklessly, and it has been common for her to capture flower thieves to make poison and brew medicine. I have always been lenient with her because of my identity with the Candle Sect."
“If you are a member of the Candle Sect, you must restrain her reckless behavior. If you refuse to restrain yourself, I will help you to do so.”
Li Xian said, "This humble one is of limited knowledge and learning, how dare I compare myself to Senior Hao?" Shi Yufei said, "Hao Qingshe has become increasingly unruly and truly deserves to be disciplined. However... she belongs to the remnants of the Candle Cult, and the Flower Cage Sect belongs to the remnants of the Candle Cult."
"According to the ranking within the sect... the Flower Cage Sect's status is not high, and ordinary disciples have little connection with the Candle Sect. Therefore, Hao Qingshe acts recklessly, capturing and poisoning them to make medicine and practice poisonous martial arts. If I were to take charge for them, according to the Candle Sect's rules, it would inevitably be considered as ostracizing the sect members. Therefore, I have been tolerant for a long time due to my concerns."
“I do not like Hao Qingshe either. Therefore, if you join the Candle Sect, I can be at ease and warn Hao Qingshe.”
Li Xianli clarified the key points and suddenly realized: "In this Grand Envoy's heart, the Candle Sect is far more important than the Flower Cage Sect."
Shi Yufei laughed and said, "I see that you have quite a talent, which is why I have told you so much. However, joining the Candle Sect is not an easy task."
Li Xian thought to himself, "Hao Qingshe is a remnant of the Candle Cult, and her actions are vicious and eccentric, which shows that the Candle Cult is no benevolent group either. Could it be that I've boarded one pirate ship only to find myself on another?" He then asked, "Grand Envoy... is the Candle Cult's selection process very rigorous?"
Shi Yufei chuckled self-deprecatingly, “The Candle Sect has long been destroyed, so what selection process is there? It’s just a bunch of die-hards entertaining themselves.”
He stopped talking about the Candle Sect after that.
The grand prize winner will receive three rewards: merit money, rare treasures, and beautiful women. Shi Yufei, remembering that Li Xian had nearly lost his life, allowed him to choose a martial art and purchase it at a lower price.
Li Xian received the merit money and pondered carefully… The opportunity to choose a martial arts technique was rare, and he should consider it carefully. He wanted to postpone it for a few days to think about his future direction. Shi Yufei stroked his beard and smiled, greatly admiring him. To remain calm and composed in the face of great fortune—this quality was indeed rare.
He had important business to attend to, so he didn't insist, saying, "The treasures and rare items will take some time to arrive. You should go and get your beautiful concubine. Hahaha... youthful vigor needs to be tempered."
He then summoned two maids to serve him.
Li Xian watched them leave into the distance.
Two maids smiled and said, "Young Master Hua, please come with us. Your beautiful concubine is waiting for you. That girl has a stubborn temper, so you'll have to teach her a lesson."
Li Xian asked with a smile, "What is the name of this beautiful woman?"
The maid said, "Her surname is Nangong, and her given name is Liuli. It's a nice name, but... the palace maid said she needs to be taught a lesson."
"Young Master Hua... you probably don't know the rules for beautiful women, do you?"
Li Xian said, "Beautiful ladies, what other rules are there?"
The two maids looked at each other, covered their mouths and chuckled, and said, "Of course there are rules, and quite a few at that."
Li Xian smiled and said, "Then please enlighten me, my two sisters." The two maids smiled shyly, secretly glancing at Li Xian a few times. At this moment, Li Xian's true appearance was revealed, making him even more handsome and extraordinary.
They said, "The so-called 'beautiful concubine' is a unique rule of our Flower Cage Sect. Those who are able to enjoy the company of a beautiful concubine in the Flower Cage Sect are all those who have made meritorious contributions or have outstanding martial arts skills."
“But anyone who can’t keep his beautiful wife in check will lose all face. If he can win her over both body and soul, he will be valued by the elders.”
...
When I saw Nangong Liuli again, she was dressed in gorgeous clothes, with exquisite makeup, and was breathtakingly beautiful. Her hair was styled in a "willow-leaf" style, adorned with red hairpins, white ornaments, and ornate hair ornaments, making her look extremely elegant. Her appearance was already very beautiful, and her worldly experience was enough to support this makeup, making her appear even more dignified.
Her jade-like shoulders were bare, draped in a light gauze shawl, and her jade shoes were exquisite and charming.
They walked slowly and gracefully.
Li Xian thought to himself, "What a beauty... If we follow the rules of the Flower Cage Sect, such a rare beauty is indeed mine." He looked at her with a playful gaze, scrutinizing her closely.
Nangong Liuli caught a glimpse of Li Xian, and after a brief moment of joy, she couldn't help but feel sorrow and resentment:
"Even if he wins, it's better than the flower thief. But I'm still forced to submit to someone else and have no choice but to depend on him for survival. I, Nangong Liuli, am a woman from a prominent family. How can I be considered to have ended up like this?"
She sighed softly.
Two maids stood beside Nangong Liuli. The path was dimly lit, but Nangong Liuli alone shone brightly.
The accompanying maid said, "Young Master Hua... from this day forward, Nangong Liuli will be your beloved concubine. You can do whatever you want with her."
Nangong Liuli blushed deeply, not daring to look at Li Xian. Her heart was filled with a strange mix of anticipation and resistance. The so-called "disposition," after much thought, seemed to be just like this and that. Li Xian smiled and said, "Thank you for your hospitality!" and led Nangong Liuli over.
Nangong Liuli walked gracefully behind him, her beautiful eyes taking in Li Xian's every move. Her slender, elegant figure, adorned with flowing, flowing robes, made her hesitant to accelerate.
Just now, the Poison Flower Taoist had made a powerful attack, his poisonous mist enveloping the arena. She was filled with despair, grieving both Li Xian's tragic death and her own fate at the hands of a treacherous villain. But when she saw him unharmed and radiating brilliance, she was overjoyed.
Her emotions had been fluctuating wildly. But now that the dust had settled, she felt incredibly embarrassed and helpless. She even lamented that she hadn't been able to learn the "Rainbow Skirt and Flowing Robe" sitting posture because she had been too stubborn, and that was terrible.
Her mind was racing. Suddenly, she took a larger step, which tugged at the needles in her clothes. A strange, itchy, and tingling sensation spread through her ribs, back, and soles of her feet. She felt both afraid and a little strange, and almost fell. Li Xian helped her up.
Stepping out of the building, I was greeted by sunlight and a gentle breeze.
The island has a mild climate, abundant flowers, and lush green grass.
Li Xian smiled and said, "Miss Nangong, how have you been lately?" Nangong Liuli replied resentfully, "How can I be well? I'm being bullied to death." Li Xian asked with concern, "Could it be that they..."
"Ah!" Nangong Liuli quickly explained, "It's not what you think." Li Xian laughed, "What do I think?" Nangong Liuli said, "How could you think that? You must be thinking that."
Li Xian laughed, "Miss Nangong... I'm an honest person, and I really don't understand your various innuendos." Nangong Liuli rolled her eyes and said, "You... no one would believe you're honest!"
Li Xian asked, "Does this count as winning the heart of a beauty?" Nangong Liuli sighed and said, "You snatched the beauty away. My life is so miserable."
Li Xian said, "Why didn't you escape back then?" Nangong Liuli asked, "If I had escaped, Bian Mei would be following you now. Would you prefer her?"
Li Xian said, "I really hoped you two could escape, but now that you're in my hands, it seems fate has other plans." Nangong Liuli was grateful and said, "Then thank you for your kindness, you're a good hero."
The journey was long, and Nangong Liuli was truly suffering as she walked along the mountain path. Her strength was failing, and she felt exhausted after only half a mile, sweating profusely.
Her beautiful eyes sparkled, but the clothing seemed to control the pressure points throughout her body, creating a strange and inexplicable sensation. Li Xiao noticed this oddity and asked, "What's wrong?"
Nangong Liuli paused for a moment, then said with difficulty, "There are needles hidden in this dress, stuck in my skin. Every step I take, every stretch, or any other slight movement will agitate the needles. I... I can't take it anymore, I need to rest."
Li Xian said, "I'll help you take them off then." Nangong Liuli shook her head and said, "It's not that easy... Without a unique method, these clothes can't be forcibly removed."
Li Xian said, "The Flower Cage Sect has many strange methods. Are you feeling very unwell? Let me help you rest." Nangong Liuli nodded slightly. Li Xian stroked her waist and helped her to a large rock by the roadside to rest. He saw that her forehead and the back of her neck were covered in sweat and had fine goosebumps, indicating that she must be extremely tired. The moment he touched her, Nangong Liuli trembled, and the goosebumps increased even more.
She caught a whiff of Li Xian's delicate fragrance, like sunshine. Her beautiful eyes immediately fluttered, and a strange reverie arose within her.
The flowing, alluring garments conceal a secret, not merely intended to torment the wearer. Soft, delicate needles pierce the body, tickling and itch slightly, suppressing strength and internal energy while simultaneously amplifying primal desires.
Nangong Liuli was bound by clan rules and protected by her family from a young age. She was constantly bathed in light, radiating brilliance, yet she also constantly restrained herself. At this moment, the Flower Cage Gate was dark and secluded, where the family's light could not reach her. She was naturally filled with sorrow and grief, but her desires were also growing stronger.
Nangong Liuli was suddenly taken aback, scrutinizing Li Xian's face, and let out a deep "Eh." She knew Li Xian was exceptionally handsome, young, and of humble origin, yet she wondered where he had learned so much. The light was bright here, and they were close enough to see him more clearly, so she couldn't help but think to herself, "This face... is truly exquisite. This little thief's handsomeness... is... is quite rare."
Her pretty face flushed slightly.
After sitting for a while, Nangong Liuli's strength slightly condensed. Although she still felt a tingling sensation all over her body, she was able to suppress it. She asked curiously, "Do you have the appearance of a rebirth?" Li Xian replied, "That's right."
Nangong Liuli asked, "Could it be the Compassionate Appearance or the White Hair Appearance?" Li Xian replied, "I belong to the Perfect Appearance."
Nangong Liuli exclaimed in surprise, "Wow! You have such natural talent?" Li Xian said, "Is this Transformation Form very impressive?"
Nangong Liuli said, "It's incredibly powerful. The transformation forms are all kinds of strange and wonderful, like a balance scale... You enjoy its benefits, but you will suffer its shortcomings somewhere else."
"The perfect form at every stage has only benefits and no drawbacks. It is naturally very powerful, but ultimately it depends on the person..."
Li Xian laughed and said, "I know, Instructor Nangong, hurry back. If others see you, they might try to steal your beauty."
Nangong Liuli spat lightly. Having regained her strength, Li Xian offered his hand to help her up. As Nangong Liuli stood, she twitched her acupuncture needles, causing another tremor. Li Xian gently supported her, preventing her from falling. They walked together, crossing a winding path and a stream. After another half hour, they arrived at Peach Blossom Town.
As evening approached, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of the town, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. Fields of flowers dotted the landscape, farmers returned home with their hoes, and children played by catching bees. Nangong Liuli was quite surprised, observing the scene for a long time, unaware that such a town existed here.
Upon returning to town, Li Xian learned that Nangong Liuli was experiencing great difficulty in both movement and sitting. Fearing she would lose face, he went back to the inn first. The bedroom was on the second floor, but the stairs along the way caused Nangong Liuli to scream in agony.
Every step she took was hindered by her clothes. The problem was... she had suffered so much that she no longer knew whether it was suffering or joy. If it was unpleasant, it was that she was indeed troubled and frustrated. If it was pleasant, the restraint of the needles even gave her a subtle surge of emotion.
Upon reaching the second floor, her pretty face flushed crimson as she leaned against the wall to rest. She cursed, "Damn it... who invented this dress? I'd rather be tied up."
Li Xian helped her into the room; they would stay at the inn for the night. Nangong Liuli's expression was strange; she saw that the inn only had one bed. If Li Xian wanted to do *that*, she truly couldn't resist.
Li Xian removed her headdress. He gently weighed it in his hand, thinking, "It should be able to pawn for some money."
He said, "You can sleep on the floor tonight."
Nangong Liuli said, "Me? Sleep on the floor?" Li Xian said, "The bed is too small, I have to sleep by myself."
Nangong Liuli was slightly annoyed, but she could understand: "Alright then... but I can't move, so I'll have to trouble you to help me with this."
Li Xian replied, "Of course."
He immediately called over the waiter and asked him to bring another straw mat and a quilt, which he spread out on the ground. The inn was small, and with the floor mat, there was nowhere left to put his feet. Li Xian washed his shoes and socks, then sat cross-legged to practice internal exercises, clearing away impurities and nourishing his blood to strengthen his body.
[Your skill in moving dirty items increases by 1]
...
[The Five Viscera Avoid Turbidity and Meet Yang Meridian]
[Proficiency: 1533/1600 Mastery]
He accumulated knowledge day by day, nearing completion. Li Xian was full of ambition and his steps were steady. Nangong Liuli could not see through Li Xian's turbid and impure energy, and only thought that he was recuperating.
It was past midnight.
Nangong Liuli suddenly felt hungry, and although she wanted to speak up several times, she was too embarrassed to say so. Li Xian opened his eyes and looked at her, then put on his shoes and socks and went downstairs. He passed by a fragrant incense stick and brought back some local food.
The window was slightly ajar, and there was also a small jar of mellow wine.
Nangong Liuli endured the pain from the acupuncture needles, sat at the table, and ate and drank wine. She gradually got used to the pain from the needle stimulation, but the itching and tingling sensation at the Yongquan acupoints was extremely difficult to tolerate.
The only option is to endure it.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Li Xian felt somewhat at ease. Seeing the numerous restrictions imposed on him by Nangong Liuli, he realized escape was hopeless. He also had no intention of leaving the island for the time being; staying at the inn for too long was inconvenient and ultimately unsustainable.
Determined to prepare for the "mansion" tomorrow.
The next morning.
Leaving Nangong Liuli in the bedroom, Li Xianxing searched for an empty courtyard in the street. The town was bustling with people from all directions, and surprisingly, there were many vacant houses.
Many places are vacant. Li Xian inquired about several vacant residences and learned that they all belonged to certain disciples who were temporarily leaving them vacant while they were out searching for flowers on the island.
Passing by a mansion in the east of town, I saw a beautiful woman living there, with an elegant demeanor, watering flowers and tending to the plants. Upon inquiring, I learned that it was the residence of an elder, and all the people living there were his beautiful family members.
turn out to be…
Having a beautiful concubine is both a blessing and a constraint. The water altar is secluded, and the concubine must never leave its mouth for life. The person who possesses a beautiful concubine must provide her with a residence for her to live in for an extended period.
If one is constantly thinking of her, one will never forget to return. If a beautiful woman receives the Lord's great favor, her status will not be bad either.
Li Xian thought to himself, "There are many intricacies involved. I'm new here and don't understand anything. I need to observe and learn more before I act."
The alleyways twisted and turned. Li Xian observed the feng shui, selecting an auspicious dwelling. However, all the feng shui-favorable locations were already occupied. The houses were large, with exquisite gardens, but Li Xian's meager funds made it difficult to rent or buy them.
He wasn't in a hurry, treating it as a leisurely stroll. Arriving at "Qingniu Street" at the west entrance of town, he saw another abandoned house. The door was ajar, and the sign had fallen off.
These abandoned old houses are definitely unclaimed. At that time, the world was in chaos, and the disciples of the Flower Cage Sect suffered heavy casualties. Today they are in great glory, but tomorrow they will be buried in a foreign land.
Li Xian pushed open the door and entered, only to find the ground overgrown with weeds.
It was quite large, with a spacious front yard containing several fruit trees that hadn't been pruned in a long time. The fruit had ripened, fallen to the ground, rotted, and accumulated, gradually developing a musty smell.
The tree has a lush canopy, and its branches grow wildly and haphazardly.
There used to be a winding stream for floating wine cups... but it's dried up and overgrown with waist-high weeds. Pollen from the flower sea has been blown into the courtyard, and strange flowers and plants are everywhere. Seven or eight beehives hang beside the plaque, buzzing noisily.
After years of neglect, it had bred many venomous beasts. Li Xian entered the inner courtyard and saw a pavilion, a hall, four side rooms, a main room, and a study…
The furniture was all rotten, covered in moss, and infested with snakes and rats. Li Xian covered his nose and looked around. Although the house had been abandoned for a long time, its layout and furnishings were quite good.
The roads were paved with bluestone slabs, but weeds grew wildly in the gaps. Li Xianyou walked around the courtyard and often heard strange rustling sounds, the sounds of snakes and rats scurrying away.
The inner courtyard has a well, a water clock... Further in, in the southwest corner of the courtyard, there is a dark room. After pushing open the door, there is a staircase leading down.
Ascending the steps, he arrived at a dark, gloomy cave. A chilling aura enveloped him, but Li Xian, with his pure yang body and blazing yang fire, was never afraid of ghosts or evil spirits. He drew his Shenjiang Sword, unleashing two streams of yang sword energy that ignited the candles on the wall.
The dark room was quite large... presumably used for secluded meditation. The floor was covered in dust, but no snakes, rats, or venomous beasts were seen. It was clear that the enclosure was very well secured.
Further in, there was another hidden room among the hidden rooms. Li Xian lit a lamp and saw that this hidden room contained many miscellaneous items. Ropes and other objects hung from the walls.
Li Xian frowned slightly, then observed more closely and immediately understood. A teasing smile appeared on his face; it turned out this secret room was used for playing with his concubines.
Among them were strange and unusual artifacts... truly an eye-opener. Li Xian thought to himself, "They've played quite a bit, but it's a pity they've been idle for so long; these things are useless now."
Although the abandoned house was extremely filthy and infested with swarms of poisonous insects, snakes, and rats, Li Xian was in need of a place to live. If the price was right, renting or buying would not be a problem. So he went to the "Ya Shi Tang" in Peach Blossom Town.
Land purchases, relocations, weddings, and funerals were all handled at the "Yashitang" (official residence hall). Li Xian explained his purpose, and the official in charge of the Yashitang immediately produced the land deed.
The Yamen Hall was not a government agency under the jurisdiction of Dawu. It was a privately run Yamen Hall established spontaneously by Peach Blossom Town and promoted by the Flower Cage Gate. Seeing the house priced at 'thirty-six taels,' Li Xian couldn't help but think, 'Peach Blossom Town is isolated from the world, so supplies are very cheap. It's hard to tell about food and clothing. But the land for the house… isn't very expensive. My remaining money is almost enough to buy a house!'
He still had some silver left, and by pawning Nangong Liuli's headdress, hairpins, and fine anchor, he could buy a mansion. He couldn't help but feel secretly excited: "In my entire life, I've never truly owned a mansion, never had a place of my own. A courtyard to plant flowers and grass, to practice martial arts in seclusion..."
They decided to buy the mansion.
The official said, "Hero... do you really want to buy this mansion?"
Li Xian asked, "What is it?" The official replied, "I need to make things clear to you beforehand, so you won't cause me trouble later. That mansion... occupies a considerable area, and its location is neither remote nor bustling. It's a perfect place for quiet living."
"There were once several heroes who wanted to buy a mansion. But... that mansion was gloomy and eerie, as if... haunted! Do you still want it?"
Li Xian frowned and said, "Then please let me inspect the remaining vacant residences one by one. I will then make further plans."
The official then laid out and displayed all the land deeds in the town. Li Xian had already toured Peach Blossom Town, and upon seeing the text on the deeds, he knew which residence it was. He immediately poured cold water on the idea; even though land in Peach Blossom Town was cheap, a decent residence occupying several acres would cost several hundred taels of silver.
turn out to be…
That mansion had been abandoned for a long time, and its price had been reduced again and again. This was extremely cheap. Li Xian pondered, "With this little money... I could hardly rent out a normal mansion for long, let alone buy it. Although that abandoned house is haunted, a poor ghost is still a ghost. If I really encounter a ghost, I'll invite it for tea and a chat."
Li Xian said, "I'd better buy that mansion." The official didn't try to dissuade him. Li Xian scraped together enough money, bought the land deed, and returned to the inn, humming a little tune, completely satisfied.
Upon hearing that they had "settled down" today, Nangong Liuli felt inexplicably relieved and said, "If we manage things well, we can make a good living." Then she was taken aback, realizing that her words sounded like those of a poor couple.
Li Xian said, "To my surprise, Hua Wucuo... has actually settled down here. Let's stay at the inn for another day. We'll go and tidy up the house tomorrow."
Nangong Liuli said, "Excellent... It's a pity I can't help you." Li Xian said, "In two days, it will be Elder Liu Yu's banquet. He invited me to go, and I will ask him for you how to remove the Rainbow Flowing Robe."
Nangong Liuli said happily, "Thank you so much!"
Li Xian suddenly laughed and said, "How do you intend to repay me?" Nangong Liuli blushed and said, "You... how do you intend to repay me?"
Seeing that Nangong Liuli, despite her many hardships, still possessed the beauty of a noblewoman, her face as radiant as the moon, Li Xian didn't think too much of it and simply smiled, saying, "You're so beautiful."
Nangong Liuli was immediately at a loss, wondering what Li Xian was up to. Li Xian teased, "How about I hold you while we sleep?"
Nangong Liuli's heart pounded wildly. She had never heard such blunt words before. She said, "Even if I'm not good, it's still...it won't do." Li Xian said, "It's a pity I'm not a flower thief, indulging in flower picking and living a carefree life. You should sleep on the floor."
Nangong Liuli felt slightly disappointed and an inexplicable annoyance, thinking to herself, "If this little thief Hua has no such intention, why does he say such annoying things?"
Li Xian remained silent, closing his eyes to move the filth. Nangong Liuli, however, found it difficult to sleep, her mind filled with thoughts. She knew she was trapped in a den of thieves, and there was no way to escape this calamity.
If it really came to that, it would be her first time experiencing it, and she would be completely bewildered.
[You moved dirty items, skill level +1]
...
Li Xian practiced diligently throughout the night.
[The Five Viscera Avoid Turbidity and Meet Yang Classic - Chapter on the Five Viscera]
[Proficiency: 2/8000 Minor Success]
[Description: The Pure Yang Classic, its true essence and profound meaning, illuminates the five internal organs' function of eliminating impurities, achieving minor success through refined cultivation. Its effects of nourishing blood and strengthening the body are enhanced, capable of nurturing 'essence and blood'. It allows one to comprehend the characteristic of 'flawless five internal organs'.]
(End of this chapter)
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