Chapter 316 Wen Caishang's Wrath, the Spirit Fox Banquet, Xiao Fan as a Guest, Forcing Him to Show Himself
Li Xian was delighted to have hunted the spirit fox. He solemnly thanked Gu Nianjun and asked directly how he would repay her. He disliked owing favors, and without Gu Nianjun's help, the hunt for the spirit fox would not have been so successful. Although he had previously promised to teach Gu Nianjun archery as repayment, her progress had been minimal in just a few days. Gu Nianjun hesitated, deliberately delaying the question so that Li Xian would keep it in mind.
The two descended the mountain together. Gu Nianjun's joy faded, replaced by a deep sense of loss. Knowing that after today, the two would never hunt in the mountains again, she reflected on the hunting trips, which, though tiring, were quite rewarding.
Her archery skills had improved only slightly, and her true intention was not to befriend Li Xian, but having caught a glimpse of his charm, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart and a strange joy. Gu Nianjun said, "Good young hero, we've already met once. It's not good for you not to show your true face. If you take off your mask, and we suddenly meet face to face, then we can be considered true friends."
"As for the reward, that's too kind. With your archery skills, young hero, even without your help, you'll still be able to hunt down the spirit fox."
Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "My appearance is hideous and ugly, so I won't offend Miss Gu's eyes. Miss Gu was of great help in hunting the spirit fox. I will always remember this. If you want to repay me in the future, just say so. I have other important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
The two parted ways atop the city wall. Gu Nianjun hesitated, then stamped her foot in frustration. She had originally planned a victory banquet to reunite them and network with other prodigies. While the killing of the snow beast was impressive, it wasn't particularly remarkable.
Shooting the Snow Mountain Fox was different. Only City Lord He Wentian could kill it purely with archery skills. Li Xian was still very young, but in the instant he shot the Snow Mountain Fox, his archery skills were already comparable to He Wentian's.
Even more impressively, He Wentian, in his forties, had just managed to hunt the spirit fox. Li Xian, though not yet of age, or perhaps barely so, possessed a youthful and vigorous spirit rarely seen in the world. Gu Nianjun had a broad vision and high aspirations, and only a handful of people genuinely admired him. Li Xian was one of them.
Organizing a victory celebration banquet, the "Spirit Fox Banquet," will surely cause a sensation throughout the city. At that time, City Lord He will undoubtedly be astonished, and the five major sword sects of Flying Dragon City will most likely all come to pay their respects.
He is unparalleled in his prowess. The fame that all the prodigies seek to achieve, soaring high on the Flying Dragon stage, will undoubtedly be won by Li Xian.
Gu Nianjun bit her red lips tightly, her eyes slightly red, and spat out in a low voice, "You...you're so cold! I didn't do anything to you."
...
...
Meanwhile, Li Xian put the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox into his shrinking flesh bag and returned to the city, constantly relaxing his mind. He had finally achieved his wish, and his purse was gradually filling up, so he wandered around aimlessly. His white face and red bow made him stand out, but once he took off the red bow, he blended into the crowd.
turn out to be……
The white-faced, red-bowed archer, renowned for his skill in shooting snow beasts, is famous throughout the land. His reputation has spread far and wide, causing a surge in the popularity of white masks. Wandering swordsmen, commoners, wealthy merchants… all follow the rumor and don white masks to attract attention.
Li Xian went to a restaurant, ordered a few dishes, and comfortably filled his stomach. Suddenly, he noticed a commotion in the street and saw a row of armored soldiers hurrying away. Li Xian raised an eyebrow; he had long known that there were undercurrents in Flying Dragon City and did not want to get involved. Lately, he had been focusing on hunting, meeting up with Gu Nianjun in the mountains every morning, unaware of the changing situation.
He overheard others discussing, "Recently, many women have disappeared without a trace. We don't know who is responsible." "Yes, Lord He was furious when he heard this, and even the Flying Cavalry has been mobilized." "Lord He cares deeply for the people and cannot tolerate evil. With Lord He around, we are safe."
Li Xian thought to himself, "The woman is missing... Could it be that the Flower Cage Sect and others have arrived in Flying Dragon City one after another? The Flower Cage Sect sneaked into Flying Dragon City with the intention of taking advantage of the chaos to see if they could gain any benefits. The situation is about to descend into chaos, so why have they shown themselves now?"
"I'm about to get my precious treasure, so let's not cause any trouble."
They ate and drank quietly, paid for their meal, and then went straight back to the inn. There, they sat cross-legged and practiced internal exercises, gradually gaining proficiency.
[The Five Viscera Avoid Turbidity and Meet Yang Classic - Chapter on the Five Viscera]
[Proficiency: 6688/24000 (Mastery)]
Progress was steady. After two hours of tempering, his bones emitted crackling sounds. His internal organs were strengthened, driving his physical body to become more active and energetic. Li Xian reached into his sleeve and drew his spear, honing the [Broken Demon Spear].
[Proficiency +1]
...
[The Remnant Spear]
[Proficiency: 3829/35000 Perfect]
The inn here was quite spacious, about three zhang wide and three zhang long, barely enough to stretch out a long spear. One had to be extremely precise in their spear technique; the slightest mistake would result in broken windows and walls, leaving a mess. Li Xian's spear technique had been idle for a long time, and unable to contain himself, he began practicing on the spot.
After performing the dance twice to his heart's content, Li Xian sheathed his spear. He then focused his inner energy and practiced the Four Directions Fist, the Gentle Breeze Leg, the Azure Palm, and many other basic martial arts techniques. He reviewed everything he had learned.
Satisfied, he took out the "Snow Mountain Spirit Fox" and examined it closely. The Snow Mountain Spirit Fox was entirely azure, its fur pure and flawless, without a trace of filth. Its blood exuded a fragrant aroma, making it an excellent medicine for healing wounds and extremely valuable.
Its down is soft and snow-white, suitable for making writing brushes and other utensils, and commands an extremely high price. Li Xian gently stroked the fox fur, his mood gradually calming down. Since entering Flying Dragon City, Li Xian had a vague sense of foreboding. Handsome appearance, superb archery skills, and a tall and upright figure... he perfectly met all three conditions.
He also knew that the Snow Mountain Fox favored things that were "pure and flawless." Those with perfect features were more likely to attract this beast. He was doing well in everything he did. Although he had investigated carefully, he knew that Madam Wang was generous and extravagant, spending money like water without batting an eye. Her face was kind and gentle, unlike that of a vicious person.
Having confirmed that there were no problems, but about to reach the final step... Li Xian couldn't help but go through the process again to dispel any lingering doubts in his mind.
Li Xian thought to himself, "My lingering worries mostly stem from my wife. I betrayed her..."
He shook his head and laughed, "How can it be considered betrayal? Do you really expect me to gouge out my eyes for your wife? The right to live must be held in one's own hands. How can one be obedient at every turn?"
"But Madam will surely see me as a traitor. I fear she will come looking for me; she is very capable, and although I am hiding in the vast sea of people, I cannot let my guard down. This unease stems from this. All the conditions here are very favorable to me. I am having too much success, so I worry that Madam is deliberately setting a trap."
"But... in this vast world, how can I be sure that this matter is related to you, Madam? Would you really spend thousands of taels of gold to kill or capture me? How could someone as calculating as you, Madam, be so careless with her interests?"
"Indeed... Li Xian, you're nothing but a peasant. What does it matter to Madam? Even if she hates you, she wouldn't go to such lengths for you. Now that you're about to succeed, it's too cowardly of you to back down."
Li Xian gradually calmed down. But then she thought again:
"No matter who it is or what their purpose is, I must be extremely cautious. I must always have a way out."
The next day.
Following instructions, Li Xian found Madam Wang's residence: Bixiang Pavilion. He didn't rush in, but instead observed from a high building, several streets away. His eyes, displaying double pupils, darted through the house and courtyards, searching.
But then he noticed a mist spreading through the pavilion. Li Xian's double pupils allowed him to see through the mist, but he couldn't see the pavilion itself; instead, he saw an ordinary house. Just as he was wondering about this, he quickly realized why.
The attic was cleverly designed with the Five Elements in mind. Although the layers of walls could not prevent the double pupils from seeing through, the layout of the attic allowed one to turn their gaze elsewhere.
Li Xian was looking at the Bixiang Pavilion. But as his gaze wandered, he noticed the ordinary houses nearby. Li Xian sighed, "This Madam Wang is extremely formidable... Such a person is not easily observed."
He remained calm and focused, observing from a distance. He stayed on guard for a whole day, but still found no clues. Several times he wanted to enter the house to exchange for the treasure, but he restrained himself each time and had to turn back first.
The next day, Li Xian returned to the Bixiang Pavilion. He ordered a cup of tea, sat down on a high spot in the restaurant, and pondered for half a day. Although he always had some concerns, he had no basis or clues whatsoever. The wind was gentle, the snow was light, the scenery was pleasing, and he felt quite relaxed.
Li Xian's eyes suddenly lit up.
...
...
Two days later.
The "Morning Dew" had been appearing for a long time, but no one had yet obtained it. The Jade Fragrance Pavilion was quiet and elegant, but on this day, someone finally knocked on the door.
Xiao Tuan stepped forward to open the door and saw a tall, imposing figure with flowing long hair, wearing a white mask and carrying a crimson longbow on his back. Xiao Tuan's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze turning strange. She already knew from the rumors that the "white-faced, crimson-bowed" man was the lady's "enemy."
Now that she has indeed come to his door, he secretly marvels at the lady's shrewdness. In the vast sea of people, she has caught a wicked fish. Xiao Tuan asked with a smile, "Hero, is there something you need?"
The pale-faced man with a red bow cupped his hands and said, "I have hunted a spirit fox and have come to present it to Madam Wang."
Xiao Tuan exclaimed in surprise, "Ah! You really hunted it? Madam is taking a nap. If you lie and disturb her peaceful sleep, it will be very difficult to explain."
The pale-faced man with a red bow said, "I dare not lie. Please inform the lady, young friend." Xiao Tuan smiled and said, "Alright then, please come in." He stepped aside and waited for him to enter the attic before closing the door and bolting it shut.
Xiao Tuan asked, "What is your name, young master?" The pale-faced man with the red bow replied, "My name is Zhou Ping'an." Xiao Tuan blinked and asked curiously, "Is your name really Zhou Ping'an? Or is it an alias?"
The man's body trembled slightly, and he coughed lightly, saying, "It is certainly not an alias; my name is indeed Zhou Ping'an."
The two walked slowly through the courtyard, Zhou Ping'an in front and Xiao Tuan behind. Xiao Tuan looked them up and down with extreme curiosity and a hint of schadenfreude, then suddenly asked, "Young Master Zhou, aren't you going to take off your mask before meeting my lady?"
Zhou Ping'an said, "Please don't misunderstand. I can only remove my mask after seeing Madam Wang." Xiao Tuan said, "So mysterious, acting like a ghost. Have you made some big enemy?"
Zhou Ping'an shook his head and remained silent. The two walked to the flower and bird stone pavilion beside the waterfall. Xiao Tuan pointed to the stone chair and said, "Please sit down. I'll go ask Madam for permission. Young hero, please don't wander around. This courtyard isn't big, but one wrong step could be life-threatening."
Zhou Ping'an said, "Of course." He then sat quietly, drinking tea to pass the time. Xiao Tuan went into the pavilion and told Wen Caishang about the matter, stating directly that the man with the white face and red bow had come to visit.
Wen Caishang chuckled upon hearing this and said, "I have laid out this scheme flawlessly. This little thief is cautious and clever, but he has been poor since childhood and knows that opportunities are rare. He started as a servant, then became a guard, and every step he took forward was fraught with great danger. He is a very courageous young man. Even if he vaguely senses something is wrong, he certainly will not want to give up easily. It seems that my prediction was correct."
Xiao Tuan said, "Madam understands him very well." Wen Caishang was in a good mood and said calmly, "Among all the people in the world, I must understand him the most. Since he has already entered the net, there is no need to rush. Let him wait patiently. I will take a short rest first."
Xiao Tuan smiled and said, "Okay." She ran back to the courtyard and told Zhou Ping'an. Zhou Ping'an smiled and said, "It is a great honor to wait for Madam to take her afternoon nap. Ping'an will wait."
Xiao Tuan praised, "Young Master Zhou, you have such a fine demeanor; no wonder you were able to hunt the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox. When Madam appears later, you'd better make a good impression." Zhou Ping'an replied, "Of course."
After waiting for an hour, Zhou Ping'an couldn't help but mutter, "Why is Madam taking such a long afternoon nap?" Bored, he paced around.
Xiao Tuan observed Zhou Ping'an through the hidden compartment. Finding it amusing, she frequently ran to report to Wen Caishang. Wen Caishang lay on her side on the "ice bed," surrounded by swirling mist, her figure hazy in the fog, her long, black hair cascading down her back. Hearing Xiao Tuan's report, she found it quite amusing.
Xiao Tuan asked, "Madam, how long should we make him wait?" Wen Caishang replied softly, "We should make him wait for three days and three nights, without food or drink, until he is emaciated from hunger and his lips are cracked from thirst."
Xiao Tuan trembled all over. Knowing the Madam's methods, she was already terrifying even before they met. Xiao Tuan silently mourned, "You're in big trouble now. You can't run away and can only let the Madam do as she pleases. This person is wearing a mask, so you can't see his face clearly, but he's the only one who could offend the Madam so badly. I wonder what kind of face is under the mask."
Meanwhile, in that courtyard...
Zhou Ping'an stayed there for two hours and felt exhausted, his back ached, and he felt unwell all over. The surrounding mist was thick and gradually grew cold, obscuring his vision. The small figure disappeared, and it was as if there was no one there.
Zhou Ping'an thought to himself, "This matter is truly strange. No wonder that person..." He could no longer sit still. The surrounding scenery was beautiful, but he had grown tired of it. He kept walking around, observing other sights.
It was getting late.
He felt inexplicably depressed, thinking, "Could it be that Madam Wang is deliberately unwilling to give up the Chaohuanglu, which is why she's been delaying my departure? Fine, if she's unwilling to give it up, I'll just leave."
He said loudly, "Madam Wang, since you are unwilling to show yourself, then I, Zhou, will not disturb you any longer. I thought Madam Wang was a person of her word. Who knew she would humiliate a junior like me like this. Humph."
He swung his sleeves and retraced his steps. But the more he walked, the more confused he became, suddenly unable to distinguish left from right and up from down. Suddenly, he fell to the ground with a "thud." He was perfectly lucid, yet he couldn't walk.
He managed to get up, took a few more steps, and then fell down again in a sorry state. Xiao Tuan darted out from the side and laughed, "You silly goose, didn't I tell you not to run around?"
Zhou Ping'an said, "Ping'an knows he was wrong, Ping'an knows he was wrong. Please take me away quickly, young lady. I don't want this morning's dew anymore."
Xiao Tuan smiled and said, "Madam is still taking a nap. How can we disturb her? Without her permission, I cannot lead the way." Zhou Ping'an secretly groaned, "May I ask when Madam Wang will wake up?"
Xiao Tuan said, "It depends on his mood. He might wake up soon, or he might take three days and three nights. Oh well, there's no need to tell you this. Just stay put."
Zhou Ping'an said, "Miss...this...this..." Xiao Tuan asked, "What's wrong?"
Zhou Ping'an struggled to his feet, felt a wave of dizziness, and fell heavily to the ground again. He said, "Ping'an knows he was wrong. He really doesn't know where he offended Madam. Please, young lady, be lenient and ask Madam to let Ping'an see me. Even if... even if I have no chance with the treasure, at least... let Ping'an leave..."
Xiao Tuan took a step and disappeared into the mist. No matter how Zhou Ping'an called out, there was no response. Xiao Tuan, intrigued, reported to his mistress. He saw his mistress frown.
Xiao Tuan said cautiously, "Madam, you..."
Wen Caishang flicked her sleeve and said calmly, "Bring this person to the hall." With a single step, her figure vanished in a flash.
Xiao Tuan did as instructed and led Zhou Ping'an to the hall. Wen Caishang sat in the main seat and said calmly, "Young hero, please sit down."
Zhou Ping'an felt extremely honored and bowed, saying, "So Madam Wang was testing me." He quickly sat down in the wooden chair.
Wen Caishang said, "Snow Mountain Spirit Fox, please let me take a look." Zhou Ping'an untied his shrunken pouch and presented the Snow Mountain Spirit Fox. Wen Caishang took it and examined it, nodding slightly, and said, "It is indeed a Snow Mountain Spirit Fox, and it was killed with a single arrow, showing remarkable archery skills."
Wen Caishang asked again, "How old are you, young hero?" Zhou Ping'an replied, "Just turned eighteen. If you don't believe me, you can check my age by pinching my bones." Wen Caishang said, "Alright, I believe you. Xiao Tuan, take out the Yellow Essence Treasure and Yellow Dew."
The morning dew was locked in the "Heaven and Earth Box." Upon opening the box, a yellow and reddish-brown halo flowed within. This object resembled both a wisp of mist and a halo of light. It was truly wondrous.
Zhou Ping'an was overjoyed and said, "Madam Wang truly keeps her word. She is a role model for us all."
Wen Caishang pressed her hand down slightly and smiled, "If Young Hero Zhou meets the conditions, this item will naturally be offered. However, there is still one condition, and I do not yet know if Young Hero meets it."
Zhou Ping'an laughed and said, "What you mean by 'Madam' must be referring to your face. Hahaha, you can rest assured about that. I, Zhou, have never lost."
Wen Caishang laughed and said, "What a bold move! Please take off your mask so I can have a look." Zhou Ping'an took off his mask, revealing a fair complexion and indeed quite handsome features.
Wen Caishang sneered, thinking to herself, "As expected... a cunning brat!"
The face beneath the mask was not Li Xian, but rather Lei Qingzhi, a handsome young man renowned throughout the Li Shan Sword Sect.
It turned out that Li Xian suddenly had a brilliant plan in the restaurant that day.
“That’s it… Since I can’t shake off my concerns, I might as well find someone to help me exchange for the Morning Dew first, and then I’ll trade it for the Yellow Ginseng. This way, I can not only dispel any doubts, but also hide in the shadows and avoid being coveted by others.”
“I have already taken Huang Jiushen, but this substance is useless to me. I’m sacrificing a small gain for a safer option. However, there is still a risk involved. If that person tries to take all the benefits for themselves, I will lose everything. The pros and cons are up to me to decide. Madam Wang may not be the problem; perhaps I’m just creating trouble for myself.”
He pondered the situation. Perhaps it was the Yin-Yang Immortal Couple Swords that sensed this dangerous and malevolent aura, which lingered persistently. But it was too elusive; to ask Li Xian to give up so easily would be a stretch.
Li Xian resolved to carry out his plan. At noon that day, he headed towards the Snow Dragon Mountains. He didn't hunt, but instead observed the outstanding hunters, secretly selecting suitable candidates.
Along the way, they saw several people wearing white masks and carrying red-lacquered bows and arrows. Li Xian couldn't help but find it amusing. After observing for nearly half a day, he spotted Lei Qingzhi hunting. He noticed that Lei Qingzhi was handsome and tall, and although his archery skills were average, he was a good teammate.
Li Xian possessed a certain magnanimity:
"If I seek help from others, there is a good chance they might cheat me out of the treasure and then deny everything. But if I seek help from disciples of the Five Great Sword Sects, I don't have that worry. I can lie and say that I am also a disciple of the Five Great Sword Sects, and they certainly won't dare to take shortcuts or cheat me out of the treasure."
"Otherwise, if this matter is publicized, he will lose all face, and the alliance of the five major sword sects may also be affected by it."
He immediately seized the opportunity to get acquainted with Lei Qingzhi. He lied, claiming he had urgent business to attend to and needed Lei's help, offering him incentives. Lei Qingzhi came from the "Lishan Sword Sect," a sect with its share of scoundrels, but whose morals were generally upright. He certainly didn't appear to be a wicked person.
But he harbored ulterior motives. He knew that the white-faced, red-bowed man was becoming increasingly famous in Flying Dragon City, and the sect elders were all discussing that the Five Swordsmen's meeting was coming soon, a truly rare and grand event. Through conversation, he learned that the white-faced, red-bowed man was also a disciple of the Five Great Sword Sects, but he wore a mask because he did not want to reveal his true identity.
If he were to help, he could conveniently assume the identity of "White-Faced Red Bow," and with a brief display of skill, he could shine brightly at their meeting. As for the "Morning Dew" treasure, he would have to return it truthfully. Otherwise, if a conflict arose, and given that they were both from the five major sword sects, his lack of archery skills would be immediately exposed during a confrontation. Conversely, if he went along with the other party's wishes and allowed them to quietly amass wealth, they would naturally help him inherit the identity.
They reached an agreement that Lei Qingzhi would impersonate "Zhou Ping'an" to exchange for the precious treasure.
As evening fell, Wen Caishang personally observed Lei Qingzhi's actions and vaguely sensed that this young man was not like Li Xian. Therefore, she immediately met with him and demanded the "Snow Mountain Spirit Fox." Seeing that he indeed possessed a Snow Mountain Spirit Fox, and observing the arrow wounds on its body, she knew it must have been inflicted by Li Xian.
It was clear in an instant that Li Xian still had reservations. He secretly found someone to impersonate her and help test her. If she was truly Madam Wang, she would naturally hand over the Yellow Dew, which Li Xian would then obtain from Lei Qingzhi. He would then leave without a trace, concealing his identity. He was incredibly shrewd. If she wasn't Madam Wang, she would never have given up the Yellow Dew, and he would have noticed something amiss, disappearing before even showing himself.
Wen Caishang's eyes flashed with a sudden realization. She knew that while she was far superior to Li Xian in terms of knowledge, she was far inferior in terms of strategy. Despite spending a fortune on elaborate schemes, they were always thwarted by Li Xian's defenses. If she pretended to hand over Huang Jingbao while secretly tracking Lei Qingzhi, it would undoubtedly be another battle with Li Xian. But Li Xian was cautious and clever, and would surely have a way to defuse the situation. This back-and-forth was utterly pointless.
She had always been superior to others since childhood. Now, seeing Li Xian's martial arts showing promise, his talent astonishing, and his strategies gradually gaining momentum, subtly overshadowing her, she felt a surge of inexplicable anger.
Lei Qingzhi chuckled, guessing that Madam Wang was already so captivated that she kept urging him on. Wen Caishang gradually came to her senses and chuckled, "This young hero Zhou, well... although he is handsome, it's a pity that the morning dew is not meant for you."
Lei Qingzhi asked, "Why?" Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Because you're not handsome anymore."
Lei Qingzhi was taken aback, then noticed a sword scar on his face, starting from his lip, crossing his nose, and extending to his forehead. It was grotesque and terrifying. Lei Qingzhi was filled with fear, but dared not be angry.
Wen Caishang threw the mirror away and asked, "Are you still handsome?" Lei Qingzhi trembled as he picked up the bronze mirror. Seeing his face completely ruined, he was more afraid than angry. His face could be repaired, but if he said the wrong thing now, his life would be in danger. He stammered, "Madam... you... you..."
Wen Caishang said coldly, "The spirit fox was not hunted by you. You dare to lie to me, so what if I kill you?"
Lei Qingzhi was speechless and quickly begged for mercy. Wen Caishang said, "With your attitude, you dare to pretend to be him. Humph, I won't kill you, but you go and tell that scoundrel that Madam Wang's real name is Wen, and tell him to listen carefully."
Lei Qingzhi said happily, "Thank you... thank you for sparing my life, I will, I will." Wen Caishang said, "Get out of here!"
Lei Qingzhi fled in terror. He stumbled and staggered along the way, but managed to escape unscathed. Xiao Tuan asked, "Madam, you scared him away like that. This man is truly as cunning as a fox."
Wen Caishang's eyes flickered: "Yes, he's as cunning as a fox. It's difficult to catch him with tricks. Dealing with him further will only cause trouble. Xiao Tuan, you should go down and immediately prepare a Spirit Fox Banquet to invite those who have hunted the Spirit Fox. Invite Li Xiaofan to the banquet."
(End of this chapter)
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