Chapter 335 Absolute Qi and Martial Arts, Besieging the Madam, Li Xian Appears, Protecting the Madam Alone
Seeing that Xiao Wanjian and Hu Yueyue had both failed to gain the upper hand—one was knocked back mid-air, and the other was soaked and in a sorry state—Wang Zongheng, the Sword-Passing Elder of the Yueshan Sword Sect, was filled with curiosity and eager to test his skills. He shouted, "You vixen, I'll test your abilities!"
He glanced around, knowing the bell's toll was imminent. Martial arts moves needed to be fast, swift, and fierce, forming momentum in an instant to be effective. He grabbed a handful of sand and pebbles and hurled them into the lake. Fine sand scattered everywhere, shooting towards the shore. Coarse sand landed in the lake but didn't sink; instead, it was carried away by the water, splashing and creating waves along the way.
The collision of sand and pebbles created a chaotic sound, disrupting the harmony of the music. Countless fine sands shot towards the pavilion in the middle of the lake from all directions. Though the sand and pebbles were fine and light, they possessed tremendous killing power. This was the "Great Waves Washing Away Sands" move from the "Viewing the River Sword" martial art of the Yueshan Sword Sect. To practice this sword technique, one must have a boat and a sword to scoop sand from the surging river. Day after day, year after year. The aim is to be 'fast,' 'scattered,' and 'dense,' with an offensive force like a tidal wave of sandstorms when facing an enemy, and a defensive stance like a lone boat crossing a river, yet remaining steadfast and unmoved. Yueshan is the most majestic mountain among the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, with a turbulent river flowing at its foot. Therefore, the martial arts of this sect possess a magnificent and imposing aura.
Wang Zongheng was an extremely skilled practitioner of this art. He would scatter sand and stones, which, though light and scattered, moved quickly and rapidly, mixing with the lake water to create the force of surging waves. If it weren't for the resounding "bell," Wang Zongheng's pursuit of speed and urgency would have resulted in even more magnificent and awe-inspiring moves, leaving only admiration.
Just as the killing intent was building, a raging torrent of sand shot in from all directions. But it stopped abruptly, as if the turbulent waves had instantly dispersed, countless grains of sand sinking into the lake. Wen Caishang lightly plucked the strings of her zither, easily neutralizing the attack. Wang Zongheng was startled, took two steps back, and exclaimed in surprise, "It's Ning Chunzi's 'Ode to the River'!"
In the blink of an eye, the martial arts contest was decided. Wang Zongheng's "Viewing the River Sword - Great Waves Washing Away the Sand" style was executed like a surging, raging sandstorm. However, Ning Chunzi's "Ode to the River" precisely targeted his weakness, completely overcoming and defeating him. In ancient times, there was a celestial official named Ning Chunzi, a renowned master of music and dance. One day, he saw off a friend, watching him sail away on the river.
But the sky darkened, the river surged swiftly, and danger lurked everywhere. Ning Chunzi was heartbroken, and inspired by the scene, he composed the "Ode to the River." Originally a flute piece, after it was fully played, the storm subsided, and the river remained calm for three days. The people along the river all learned it, and whenever they encountered turbulent waves, they would sing and play the "Ode to the River" to bolster their courage and spirit.
Wen Caishang used her zither instead of a flute to play the "Ode to the River." Although the "Ode to the River" wasn't martial arts, it was a technique that countered moves without using any specific moves. This counter-attack was incredibly stunning. The elders of the various sword sects exchanged bewildered glances, repeatedly exclaiming, "This vixen's skill with the zither is extraordinary; no wonder she chose the zither as her opponent. Truly treacherous and cunning! Hmph, no matter how powerful she is, she's surrounded now. If we combine our strength, how can we allow her to be so arrogant?" The disciples of the various sects, however, lacked musical knowledge and were unaware of the mystery. They only cursed the vixen's extraordinary skill.
Wen Caishang teased, "I've always heard that the Five Mountains Sword Sect is a reputable and righteous sect that upholds the sword and the mountains as its foundation, a gentleman's covenant. Today, with such a grand display of force, using numbers to bully and attack a weak woman like me, it's rather unbecoming."
Having just suffered a great defeat and lost face, Xiao Wanjian coldly shouted, "What's the point of being polite when capturing a vixen like you? What's the point of talking about etiquette with a traitor like you?"
Wen Caishang's eyes held a cold indifference, yet she remained composed and calm. Hou Yuande, the Pingjian Elder of the Jiushan Sword Sect, said, "Don't talk too much with this vixen. Her zither playing is very strange. Since one of us cannot handle her, let's try together!"
The elders shouted in unison, "Yes! We must capture this woman today, or our Five Mountains Sword Alliance will lose all face!" "To avenge our fallen brothers and sisters!" "Capture this vixen, destroy this evil!" "How dare this mere vixen swagger before our Five Mountains Sword Alliance!"...
The voices of the various factions resounded in unison. Wen Caishang said calmly, "A motley crew, do you think you can hurt me?" She played the zither without losing her composure, and sat calmly in her lap.
Around the lake, over a hundred disciples of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance displayed their unique sword techniques, while elders from various sects employed their own skills and abilities… Sword energy crisscrossed the lake, strange lights flashed, and bizarre moves emerged one after another—a truly chaotic scene. The piercing cries of swords filled the air, and water vapor billowed everywhere. Trees nearby fell or collapsed. Artificial hills and rocks shattered or cracked.
What a beautiful garden landscape, how could it withstand such devastation and ravage? But the deeper the struggle, the harder it is to let go.
Wen Caishang used her "music" to neutralize the overwhelming killing intent, sword sounds and energy, and ever-changing sword techniques. Her music would melt away the ice and snow, dissolving everything. This stalemate continued for a long time. Not only did the various sects lose face, but their disciples also began to tire. Several waves of disciples were exchanged, but none gained the slightest advantage.
Wen Caishang's melodious voice nearly caused the disciples to fight each other several times, creating chaos. However, the strange "bell sound" from afar neutralized her advantage. Thus, neither side could break through, resulting in a stalemate that seemed to have reached a dead end.
Wen Caishang glanced sideways at the scene, thinking, "The bell is indeed getting faster, but I don't know how fast it will eventually get. If I only have half a breath's time, I can protect myself. But if the bell keeps ringing, I won't be able to use my skills. The enemy is numerous and will be very difficult to deal with."
She glanced around, pondering a way out: "If the bell doesn't help me, I'll have to fight my way out. The situation is unfavorable, but... these lowly rats, if they really want to capture me, it's all in vain." She then focused on dealing with the situation.
After a prolonged and fruitless attack, Hu Yueyue suddenly gestured, and the five leading elders stepped back and gathered to discuss the matter. Hu Yueyue said, "This woman is strange. Her skill with the zither is unfathomable. Our forceful attacks from across the river are completely neutralized by a single note from her zither. This stalemate is nothing but a waste of energy and has no other effect whatsoever."
Duan Yixin said, "Such a stalemate is not a good strategy. She is firmly seated on the platform in the middle of the lake, holding a strategic advantage, and has already gained the upper hand!"
Xiao Wanjian said in a deep voice, "We can't let this witch go. We finally managed to surround her, and we can't miss such a good opportunity. In my opinion... if we still can't do anything to her, we should lead the charge and kill her." Wang Zongheng said in a deep voice, "No, no, this witch is extremely powerful. If we do that, won't we just cause more casualties?"
Xiao Wanjian said, "With the five of us working together, how could we possibly be unable to defeat this vixen? In my opinion, apart from her skill in playing the zither, she is probably just average in other aspects. Moreover, with the sound of the bell, she has no other tricks up her sleeve, and we are all just ordinary mortals. She is just a woman; what waves can she possibly make?"
Hou Yuande said, "Elder Xiao's words make sense. But in my opinion, there's no need to rush; we can wait a little longer." The elders asked, "Oh? Why do you say that?" Hou Yuande said, "Because... the bell tolls are becoming more and more frequent. If the bell tolls are continuous, then that will be the best time to capture and kill the demoness."
After his prompting, the elders snapped back to their senses and carefully sensed the sound of the bells. They indeed felt the bells ringing rapidly, with intervals of less than a breath. Hou Yuande continued, "We only need to wait for half a day, and the bells may ring continuously. At that time, we will lead our team to capture and kill her, and she will surely be defeated. At that point, we won't even need to fight; just verbal intimidation will be enough to make her surrender obediently."
He immediately ordered his men to hold their positions by the lake and be on high alert. Wen Caishang, seeing the enemy's movements, knew they already had a plan, and her brows furrowed slightly. She sighed, "They've already noticed the bell tolling faster, so they're using this to waste their energy and conserve their strength before attacking me again. It's an excellent scheme. Very well... since that's the case, then we'll have to settle this with swordplay."
After waiting a while longer, they suddenly heard a flurry of footsteps approaching from afar. A disciple shouted excitedly, "It's the women of the Sword Sect!" Wen Caishang frowned and thought to herself, "There are already many enemies, making it difficult to deal with them. Now, with nearly a hundred more added, it seems my luck is bad. The misfortune of stealing the dragon has not completely dissipated. Fate is adding insult to injury for me."
Elders Zhao Chunxia, Yang Piaoxue, Tang Mengluo, and others finally met and greeted the five leading elders. Wang Zongheng of the Yueshan Sword Sect asked with concern, "Chunxia, you're here too! What happened? Why did you all disappear?"
Zhao Chunxia said, "This was caused by that scoundrel He Wentian! Where is He Wentian? Where is he?" The women all shouted and demanded to know where He Wentian was.
Wang Zongheng said, "Lord He is not here. We were chasing the demoness when we came to our senses and found that he was not here."
Tang Mengluo said angrily, "Fine, he's feeling guilty. Elders, please go and arrest him immediately. This thief is treacherous and cunning."
Upon hearing this, the elders all changed color, completely bewildered. Hu Yueyue asked, "Sanluo, what... what do you mean by this? Is there some misunderstanding? City Lord He is a kind and generous man, how could he be the culprit? If it weren't for his rescue, we would probably be dead by now."
The male disciples were all puzzled. Xiao Wanjian said in a deep voice, "In my opinion, there is a misunderstanding in this matter, which is not easy to explain in a few words. We have already misunderstood City Lord He once, and if there is a second time, we should discuss it in detail. At this moment, the witch has killed our sect's disciples. With such a great enemy at hand, it is absolutely true. After this matter is settled, we can discuss City Lord He's matter in detail. At that time, whether it is true or false will be clear at a glance."
The four team leaders, Wang Zongheng, Duan Yixin, Hu Yueyue, and Hou Yuande, all nodded in agreement, saying, "This is the safest way." Zhao Chunxia and the others hesitated, feeling that capturing He Wentian was the top priority, but since the five elders were of high status, strong, and their words were without error, they said, "Alright."
The women arrived at the lakeside and saw a figure in a white dress in the pavilion. Although deep within the underground palace, the lake rippled, the water was serene, the stone pavilion was tranquil, and the beauty was playing the zither. Surrounded by enemies, she remained calm and composed. This single encounter left the women in awe: "What a magnificent Lady Zhejian! Such poise and elegance are truly extraordinary."
He Lijun said, "Elders, why don't we cross the lake and attack this woman together?"
Hu Yueyue said, "This woman's skill with the zither is extremely powerful. No matter what moves you use, her zither music can completely neutralize them. Moreover, the sound of the bells helps her to remain undefeated while playing the zither."
Peng Sanlu asked, "Are we just going to wait it out like this?" Hu Yueyue was about to speak when a bell rang out. She raised an eyebrow and said, "No... wait until the bell rings more and more frequently before we go and capture her. She definitely can't escape, and she's already close."
She wielded her longsword through the water. The blade was enveloped in water, its tip pointing downwards, as water dripped down its length. For every five drops, a bell tolled. For every four drops, a bell tolled… The tolling grew more and more frequent, soon far exceeding the duration of a single breath.
The sound of the bell resonated in a predictable pattern. The faster the bell rang, the softer and fainter the sound became. When the bell finally disappeared, the martial arts techniques and the manipulation of internal energy all came to naught. The disciples of the sword sect began to murmur amongst themselves, filled with fear and unease.
Xiao Wanjian gave a deep command, and the disciples, upon receiving the order, stood ready and surrounded the lakeside with imposing momentum.
Wen Caishang gazed at the distant lake, her heart as still as water. Surrounded by enemies, she felt no fear, for she was naturally more detached than others, and now, even more disdainful. She still had the leisure to pluck the strings and play. A soft, gentle melody flowed forth. The disciples retreated several steps in fear, but sensing no killing intent in the music, they listened intently, secretly captivated by its sound.
Thinking of the impending battle, when the world would never hear such music again, a deep sorrow filled his heart. He felt no joy even for avenging his fellow disciples. Wen Caishang said, "This situation is quite interesting. Regardless of life or death, before that, I, Wen, will offer you a song."
The melodious strains of the zither drifted across the green lake, where willows swayed in the breeze. This beautiful scene stood in stark contrast to the chilling murderous intent surrounding them. Xiao Wanjian cursed, "Such demonic music! How can it be worthy of our ears? Disciples, cover your ears!"
Wen Caishang played her zither with composure, the music melodious and lingering. Zhou Shijie was also among the crowd. From their first meeting in the prefectural city, he had secretly fallen for Wen Caishang. Later, when they met again in Feilong City, they had a chance encounter and exchanged a few words. He was completely captivated, his admiration, respect, worship, and love for her beyond measure.
He entered the tomb with the other sword sect disciples and encountered the "palace thunderclouds" together, but was later rescued by He Wentian. When He Wentian scolded Wen Caishang and tried to rally the sword sect to deal with her, he didn't dare to say a word.
But the thought of opposing Wen Caishang filled him with reluctance. The pursuit along the way was fraught with peril, resulting in heavy losses among the sword sect disciples. He dared not utter a sound. Just now, when the sword sect disciples surrounded and attacked the lake, he dared not show himself.
Hearing the melodious zither music, Zhou Shijie was filled with emotion. He thought, "If this lady were to die now, how could we possibly hear this music again? We are now almost completely devoid of cultivation. If I... if I were to say a few words on her behalf... could she... could she be treated leniently? Perhaps then, she would be grateful to me for saving her..."
"Moreover... while everyone else has no cultivation, my ethereal luck can still provide some measure."
He stepped forward and called out, "Please wait, everyone."
All the members of the Five Mountains Sword Sect turned to look at him. Zhou Shijie said, "Gentlemen... brothers and sisters of the sword sects, elders, may I say a word?"
Xiao Wanjian pondered for a moment, and although he was displeased, he still said, "Young Master Zhou is not a member of my sword sect, yet he helped us out of righteousness. Moreover, Master Wen Dao passed on the talisman Hao Ran, so he naturally has the right to speak. But now that things have come to this, what else is there to say?"
Zhou Shijie said, "Although I am a martial artist, I have managed to obtain a wisp of luck. Seeing that things are becoming increasingly difficult to reverse, at this critical juncture, although I am of humble status, I have no choice but to say a few words."
Hu Yueyue said, "Oh? Young Master Zhou is trying to exonerate this vixen? Could it be that a few notes of music have bewitched you?"
Zhou Shijie blushed, but feigned composure and said, "No, no. Master Fu Haoran once told me that we are burdened with destiny, and if we encounter injustice or unfairness in the world, we should use ourselves as a scale to weigh ourselves. Otherwise, what's the use of having destiny?"
"At this critical juncture, if the two sides engage in a major battle, it will inevitably result in heavy casualties. At that time, my fellow disciples and senior sisters will lose their lives, which will only increase the casualties."
He looked nervously at the five elders. Xiao Wanjian's face was icy, Hu Yueyue seemed thoughtful, while Wang Zongheng and the others could not discern anything else.
Elder Wang Tiexin of the Jiushan Sword Sect asked, "Hehe, if we follow what Young Master Zhou says, in order to avoid further casualties, should we just let this matter drop and have this vixen leave?"
Zhou Shijie hurriedly said, "Of course not, of course not, please let me finish." Everyone suppressed their anger for the sake of Fu Haoran and Piaomiao Qiyun, and listened to him continue: "Elders of the Sword Sect, most of the disciples of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance died at the hands of the secret passage mechanisms. Although this... lady used the mechanisms to harm others, she did not personally take action. Compared with directly killing them, she has more room for maneuver."
"Moreover, it is difficult to avoid encountering traps when exploring deep into the tomb. The loss of the disciples... the loss of the disciples cannot necessarily be entirely blamed on this lady."
Seeing the angry expressions on the faces of the sword sect members, Zhou Shijie feared that they might be enraged and kill him as well. He quickly added, "However, the main responsibility for this matter still lies with this lady. Presumably, by this point, she has already shown remorse. If we give her a chance to repent, we can avoid casualties and also comfort the departed souls."
Xiao Wanjian said, "Tell me again, how can this lady repent so that her spirit may find solace?"
Zhou Shijie observed the expressions of the various factions and said, "If...if this lady surrenders, then..." He gritted his teeth and said, "I will spend my own cultivation to atone for my sins for the rest of my life. That should be enough to repent, right? Moreover, this lady is extremely wealthy. If I compensate her with money, can all these grievances and entanglements be resolved?"
The elders found this to be true; it could prevent casualties and atone for their sins, which was naturally the best course of action.
Xiao Wanjian nodded slightly and said, "I don't think that's enough. If you add one more thing, then it will barely be enough." He said, "Tear off your own tendons and ligaments, and that will barely be enough to repay the debt."
Zhou Shijie breathed a sigh of relief and said to Wen Caishang, "Madam Wen, this...this is indeed something you did wrong. I, Zhou, have secured a glimmer of hope for you. If...if you sincerely wish to atone, then..."
Wen Caishang ignored him and continued playing her zither quietly, displaying an air of calm and composure. Although the situation was perilous, she would not let it cause her to panic.
Zhou Shijie said urgently, "Madam Wen, you must not act rashly. Even with your cultivation, facing the numerous sword formations of the Sword Sect and the combined efforts of dozens of elders, it would be difficult to escape. Now, affected by the bell's toll, none of us have any cultivation left. You are merely a woman; how can you withstand such a multitude of heroes? I, Shijie, have secured a way for your survival. Please… please don't…"
Wen Caishang sighed, "The Five Mountains Sword Sect is full of rats and wolves. I have the refined taste, but I can only play the lute to a cow. It's really extremely boring." The gentle lute music gradually stopped.
Zhou Shijie was anxious and helpless. Wang Tiexin, Hu Yueyue, and others shook their heads and sighed. As soon as the music stopped, the disciples couldn't help but miss it. Suddenly, someone in the crowd said loudly, "Madam, please continue playing the zither."
Wen Caishang recognized the voice immediately and looked up. She saw a young man emerge from the crowd and step onto the white jade corridor leading to the pavilion in the middle of the lake. Wen Caishang was taken aback. She saw that the young man had a face as white as jade and a calm demeanor. He walked slowly and tied up his long, loose hair.
Her beautiful eyes shone brightly; without needing to say or ask any more questions, she obediently began to play the zither. The music added to her joy.
Upon seeing Li Xian again, the women of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance erupted in chatter, each offering their own explanations. Lin Aoshan, Zhao Chunxia, Luo Feiyan, and the other women were utterly bewildered.
Zhao Chunxia asked, "Li Xian, it's dangerous!" She was about to offer assistance. Li Xian shook his head and said, "Senior Chunxia, there's no need to worry," indicating that she should stay away.
Upon hearing the name "Li Xian" and seeing the red mole between his eyebrows and his flawless face, the male disciples and elders of the Sword Sect immediately uttered curses and shouts of killing, including "Flower Thief" and "Flower Cage Sect."
When the female disciples heard the male disciple scolding Li Xian, they all spoke up to defend him, causing a chaotic scene.
Li Xian remained calm and composed, originally intending to remain hidden, but seeing Wen Caishang in danger. Despite their complicated relationship, their bond was genuine, and he could not allow his wife to be humiliated.
Zhou Shijie said, "It's you! You scoundrel from the Flower Cage Sect, you want to die, but don't ruin the life of your wife behind you."
Li Xian said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Zhou, but you should keep this survival strategy for yourself. What use would my wife and I have for it?"
Wen Caishang smiled and thought to herself, "Li Lang is still Li Lang after all. Other men can hardly compare to him."
Enraged, Zhou Shijie charged towards the white jade corridor, unleashing his "Wave-Treading Claw" technique. While there was no internal energy or martial arts technique at this moment, each move was subtly ingenious. Li Xian remained unmoved, allowing him to strike. However, even when his hand was several inches away, an invisible resistance protected him; the pure qi robe did not cease despite the bell's toll, preventing Zhou Shijie from landing a solid blow.
Li Xian turned and kicked out with unstoppable force, his physical strength proving irresistible. In an instant, he sent the man flying several meters away, tumbling to the ground, his face a mess.
Li Xian said, "You all outnumber me and I don't know if I can survive this ordeal if I show myself now. But if you want to harm my wife, I cannot stand idly by."
"As for Young Master Zhou's talk of redemption for right and wrong, well... in my opinion, it's all nonsense. Regardless of who is right or wrong, I can't bear to ask my wife to redeem herself. Even if she is wrong, then she has no choice but to continue down this path."
Zhou Shijie struggled to his feet and, upon hearing Li Xian's words, immediately observed Wen Caishang's expression. He saw her charming and delighted face, her genuine smile radiating happiness. He knew these words must have touched her heart deeply. Although the other women listening did not know the reason behind it, they admired Li Xian's courage and character even more after hearing Zhou Shijie and Li Xian's conversation.
Zhou Shijie harbored deep resentment towards Li Xian and said angrily, "You lecherous thief, you were driven out by your wife long ago. Now you crawl out to play the hero, harming others and yourself!"
Wen Caishang coldly retorted, "You scoundrel! Li Lang is my beloved. I came to Flying Dragon City to find him." She didn't say this to Li Xian. Remembering her angry words, she then coldly added, "You rat, you're extremely noisy. If you say another word, I'll wipe your tongue out."
Zhou Shijie's face was deathly pale.
Li Xian said, "My fellow sisters of the Sword Sect, if you remember the life-saving grace I have shown you, please step back and not participate in this matter. If you are willing to give me some face, I will agree to protect my wife and me and not kill any Sword Sect disciples. If I, Li Xian, die under a hail of blades, my sisters need not worry about me. It is all my own fault."
The women said, "This...this..." "Young Master Li, your actions have put us in a very difficult position." "What should we do? We are so anxious!"
Zhao Chunxia gazed deeply at Li Xian, her expression complex, and sighed repeatedly, a myriad of emotions difficult to express. She whispered something in Wang Zongheng's ear. Peng Sanluo whispered something in Hu Yueyue's ear. After a moment, Zhao Chunxia said, "Disciples who have been saved, please follow me."
The women walked to a spacious area, turned their backs, and plugged their ears with strips of cloth. Out of sight, out of mind; out of hearing, out of mind.
Li Xian was greatly pleased and stood across the white jade corridor.
Xiao Wanjian thought to himself, "What a pair of scoundrels! They're truly no good. The man is a womanizer, and the woman is as venomous as a snake. Well then, my Five Mountains Sword Alliance will kill them both today." He was hot-tempered and didn't take Li Xian seriously. He stepped into the corridor first and charged towards Wen Caishang.
As he passed Li Xian, he unleashed a move called "Upward Strike of Gentle Breeze," a basic sword technique from the Yangshan Sword Sect called "Quick Yang Sword Technique." Xiao Wanjian had mastered it to an extremely high level, having already reached its pinnacle. Even without using internal energy or demonstrating martial arts techniques, his exquisitely crafted moves could kill in the blink of an eye.
Li Xian pinched the opponent's exquisite move between his two fingers, effortlessly neutralizing it. He smiled confidently and said, "It seems that a dignified elder of the Sword Sect doesn't take this kid like me seriously."
"Your moves are weak and feeble; you need to practice more!"
(End of this chapter)
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