Chapter 345 Alas, all pleas go unanswered; even the Sword-Broken Lady has met her end.
Wen Caishang was both angry and ashamed. She had never expected her first major defeat in her life to be like this. She would rather have lost a sword fight or suffered a setback in a martial arts contest than be in such an embarrassing situation.
She was speechless at this point, knowing that Li Xian was determined to leave. She felt a chill run down her spine: "Given this boy's cautious nature, I doubt he would hurt me, nor would he be willing to hurt me, but he certainly wouldn't let me escape easily. If I fall into his hands, I'm really going to suffer."
She tried to break free from the sword's grip, but suddenly her eyes widened in surprise. Li Xian first used the "Silkworm Garment" technique of the "Silkworm Garment Inlaid Jade Skill" to firmly drape Wen Caishang in the "Silkworm Garment." Knowing that Wen Caishang could not break free from this binding method, he then took out a set of Jade Silkworm Ropes and combined the "Silkworm Garment Method" with the "Sunset Blood Sword."
This was extremely difficult to achieve, but Li Xian had deeply grasped the essence of the Sunset Blood Sword, and his sword moves were flexibly executed, transcending the framework of swordsmanship. In addition, he was naturally intelligent, and through this research, he created a "Silkworm Sword Robe," which was also used for binding and seizing, specifically to control the vital points of the body, making it difficult for the person to move, but it contained the sword principles of the Sunset Blood Sword.
This garment, draped over someone else, rendered the swords of the setting sun and fading blood useless, possessing only the ability to bind and seize. Yet, it trapped Wen Caishang deep within the mire of the Yin-Yang Immortal Couple Swords, forcing her to silently unite the Yin and Yang swords, their sword energy circulating endlessly throughout her body, invisibly suppressing her cultivation, making it impossible for her to break free on her own. Wen Caishang cried out in despair, thinking, "This damned brat... he always uses so many unconventional tricks against me. He actually came up with such a method, finding a different way to restrain my abilities. I... I'm so angry at him. Does he... does he have other tricks up his sleeve?"
Seeing that she really had a backup plan, Wen Caishang was so angry that she felt dizzy: "You are cautious with others, but you are not ambiguous with me. You fear me like a tiger, but you have used your dragon-capturing ability."
She let out two soft sobs, her beautiful eyes filled with murderous intent, piercing Li Xian's gaze. It was as if there was retribution in the underworld; long ago, Wen Caishang used the Eight Absolute Seals to trap Li Xian, causing him to be cut off from heaven, earth, water, and fire.
Today, Li Xian has left her sprawled out, unable to cry out for help, completely paralyzed. Wen Caishang, though learned, is helpless in this predicament. She resigns herself to her fate and submits to Li Xian's arrangements.
She felt extremely strange. She had always been proud, confident, a perfectionist, and a demanding controller. She was used to controlling everything, arranging things perfectly to her liking. If Li Xianruo complied with her, she would meticulously plan everything—what martial arts he would learn, what food he would eat, what miscellaneous subjects he would study—striving for complete control. But now, it was the complete opposite of her nature. Even her innate limbs were difficult to control, and her usually eloquent tongue was struggling to speak. This feeling had been faintly present when practicing the "Silkworm Robe Jade Inlaid Skill," but not as clear as it was now. This stark reversal left her bewildered and utterly embarrassed.
It took half a day in total. By noon, the sun was high in the sky. Birds fluttered their wings and flew merrily, while fish splashed and played. Life was vibrant around the lake. Li Xian had used all his skills here and was quite exhausted. Seeing Wen Caishang completely subdued, he felt a little proud: "Madam has been riding on my head and acting arrogantly for so long. I'm finally going to get my revenge. A man like me should do this."
Wen Caishang's forehead was beaded with sweat, and she let out a soft breath. All she could do at that moment was glare fiercely at Li Xian. One wrong step could lead to eternal regret; she never imagined this day would come.
Li Xian said, "Madam, please don't be angry. You trapped me with that big cocoon last time. This time we're even." Wen Caishang thought to herself, "Good, he really is holding a grudge about that." She let out two "woo-woo" sounds, feeling utterly helpless, truly unable to do anything to Li Xian. Seeing Li Xian's eyebrows slightly raised, clearly extremely pleased, she secretly regretted not having bullied and stabbed him more in the past.
Li Xian thought to himself, "Madam always wants to take me back. Now I've captured her instead. Judging from her appearance, she must be suffering. Why can't I take Madam away?" This thought suddenly arose in his mind, and he became restless.
But then I calmly thought, "I'm afraid that's not a good idea. The reason I can trap Madam right now is entirely due to the power of the Remnant Sun and Decaying Blood Sword and the Yin-Yang Immortal Couple Sword. I already have the advantage of timing, location, and people, while Madam is only barely trapped. This sword aura will eventually dissipate. Madam is very knowledgeable and has great supernatural powers. Perhaps she can quietly break free? If that happens, I'll be in big trouble. I'll wait until I have the ability to defeat Madam in the future before I consider capturing her alive."
"When that time comes, if Madam dares to be arrogant again, I will spank her and teach her a lesson. Hahaha, then I will truly display my might and be in high spirits."
A smile played on her lips, a gentle spring breeze caressing her face, bringing her immense joy. Wen Caishang caught a glimpse of this and glared angrily, guessing that Li Xian was laughing at her disheveled state, and she was filled with resentment. Little did she know that even in her disheveled state, she possessed an extraordinary charm.
Li Xian said, "Madam, please wait a moment." He turned and left, using the Seven Star Steps to traverse the forest. This was deep within the dense forest, with few paths leading around. The undergrowth was haphazard, and the snow was thick and piled high. Sometimes, a single misstep would send his feet sinking deep into the snow, or into a pile of decaying leaves. The chill trapped in the decaying grass and leaves could instantly freeze his feet, greatly hindering his progress. Li Xian ran until he reached a secluded path. There he saw a carriage and a white horse.
A few days ago, Li Xian and Wen Caishang arrived in a carriage. The two were so engrossed in practicing their swordsmanship that they completely forgot about this object. The white horse, drowsy from hunger, lay on its side in the grass.
Li Xian checked its breathing and found it still had a breath left. He immediately sent his internal energy to warm the body. The white horse gradually regained its breath, but having not eaten or drunk for several days, it had little strength to get up.
Li Xian said, "Wait a moment." He looked around and saw a stream to the east. He also saw a green tree nearby with large, unfallen leaves. He slapped the trunk, scattering the leaves. Then, he used his "Pure Qi Robe" to levitate, making it appear as if the fallen leaves were floating around him, and quickly walked to the stream.
Using the "Cloud-Soaring Hand" technique, specifically the "Exploring Clouds and Seizing Mist" move, Li Xian scooped up and pulled back his hand from the water. The water was lifted up as easily as a stone or an object. Li Xian then used a leaf to catch the water before tossing it towards the white horse.
Following the same method, Li Xian repeatedly used his Cloud-Soaring Hand technique to fetch water and toss leaves to deliver it. The white horse, replenished with water, regained some strength, but remained extremely weak. Knowing it was starving and that water alone would be useless, Li Xian devised a plan to find some dry grass to feed it.
Only then did the white horse regain its strength. Li Xian untied the carriage, led the white horse, tied it to a tree, gently stroked its back, and said, "Wait here, stay put."
Although the white horse was just an ordinary steed, it was quite intelligent, nodding its head obediently and staying quietly under the tree. Li Xian leaped onto the carriage, which was spacious and warm inside, with the lingering fragrance of Wen Caichang's hair and body still present.
Inside was an incense burner, its fire extinguished. Beneath the table lay ample charcoal, shaped like square jade, pale yellow in color, warm and soothing to the body when burned, neither too hot nor too cold, emitting a lingering fragrance. The tables, chairs, couch, and gauze curtains… were of exceptionally high quality. A layer of snow-white animal hide covered the couch, still retaining a trace of body heat; the lady had slept on this very blanket when traveling by carriage. Li Xian thought to himself, “The lady certainly knows how to enjoy life; everything she owns must be of the highest standard. Speaking of which, I’ve never examined her carriage. I have a bee farm and an orchard within the Water Altar; I’m a person of some standing, and I also have a carriage. But my carriage is quite simple, bumpy on the road, and cramped. It’s said that you get what you pay for, and this carriage is certainly exceptional.”
"We should take a good look at this carriage. In the future, when we have enough money and wealth and can establish a stable estate, we should make sure our attire is presentable when we go out."
For a martial artist, the preparations for his journey are a matter of appearance. The trade of carriages and horses is a deep and complex affair. Li Xian has been involved in the martial world for quite some time, and this understanding is gradually becoming clearer. He knows how to judge a person by their belongings. Carefully examining the interior of the carriage, he noticed a hidden compartment on each side. Opening the compartments revealed two swords, one blunt and one sharp, which were gifts given when the carriage was purchased.
The carriage trade is incredibly sophisticated, sometimes concealing precious or famous swords within the carriages themselves. Buyers might discover a hidden treasure by opening a secret compartment. Once, a martial arts master gambled his fortune, purchasing an expensive carriage and finding a renowned sword inside. Using the sword's power, he carved out his own path in the world.
This is the "Mother and Child Swords Without Edges," which has a minor reputation. The mother sword is without an edge, symbolizing inclusiveness. The child sword is sharp, symbolizing offense. With both swords in hand, the swordplay is unpredictable and ever-changing. Li Xian took out the two swords, and the blades lightly touched, producing a soft "ding" sound.
The surrounding trees rustled. Li Xianqi exclaimed, "What a fine sword! What a fine sword!" The sound of the two swords clashing just now subtly echoed the wondrous effect of "ethereal celestial music," causing the trees to tremble incessantly. If one were to practice the corresponding sword techniques, even more wondrous uses could be discovered.
Li Xian sighed, "It's a pity I already have the 'Sinking River Sword' and the 'Azure Sword.' If I have two more swords, I won't be able to hide them all on my person." He then hid the two swords back in the hidden compartment.
The carriage contained bookshelves filled with miscellaneous books, including "Chronicles of Flying Dragon City," "Map of the Cold Snow Mountain Range," "Travelogues," and "Notes on Snow Grass." Whenever Wen Caishang arrived in a new place to purchase land or engage in trade, she would always study the local area thoroughly. Her careful planning before acting demonstrated her prudent and shrewd nature.
While searching, Li Xian found a scroll titled "The Jade Silkworm Rope" inside the bookcase. He took it without hesitation, not expecting his wife's angry glare, but rather feeling surprised and thinking to himself, "It's useless to leave it lying around, so I might as well accept it for my wife and make the most of it."
He closed the carriage window, stepped down, and tried to lift the carriage onto his back, heading towards Snow Lake. The carriage was made of 'ironwood' and was quite heavy. Each step he took sank deep into the snow. Li Xian carried the carriage on his shoulder, walking quickly for several miles, but he also felt slightly tired. Fearing his wife would freeze for too long, he carried the carriage swiftly, making his way back to Snow Lake. It took about half an hour.
Seeing the dignified Lady Wen Caishang, who was being harassed by birds and beasts, taking advantage of her weakness, the birds and beasts chirped and circled around her. Wen Caishang was extremely annoyed. Her limbs were bent backward, unable to find any foothold. She struggled to turn around and lay on her side on the grass, groping for pebbles on the ground. Finally, she found one and immediately launched it, knocking down a bird or beast.
He was already drenched in sweat, having used every ounce of his strength. Li Xian chased away the birds and brushed the snow off Wen Caishang. Wen Caishang's beautiful eyes were filled with resentment as she glared at Li Xian. At this moment, helpless and gentle, even with her ruthless nature, she sheathed her sword.
Wen Caishang glanced at the carriage and thought to herself, "So that rascal went to carry the carriage. This carriage is quite sturdy and reliable, it's a wonder he has the strength to mess around with it." As she was lifted up and felt the warmth of his body, her heart couldn't help but flutter.
There was a carriage, but no horses. Li Xian carried Wen Caishang into the carriage and immediately felt her warmth. He gently placed her on the snow blanket and breathed on her to blow away the snow. Wen Caishang glared at him and said, "This kid has really taken care of me. I don't know how long he's been scheming against me. Sigh... I'm not innocent if I fall for his tricks."
Li Xian took out the yellow jade incense charcoal, lit it, and threw the wisps of smoke into the incense burner. A warm, gentle warmth slowly emanated, creating a tranquil and leisurely atmosphere, making one feel quite at ease. Li Xian then found a jade silkworm rope. Wen Caishang's heart skipped a beat: "He must have searched my carriage and found the jade silkworm rope I use for cultivation. Knowing his nature, he'll naturally take advantage of me again." Exasperated, she quickly shook her head and begged for mercy.
After Li Xian finished putting on the silk robe, he noticed that Wen Caishang's long hair cascaded down her body like a waterfall. He then helped her coil it up and secured it with a gold hairpin, making it more dignified. He then covered her with a quilt, concealing all her embarrassment.
Wen Caishang glanced at Li Xian, thinking to herself, "At least he still has some conscience." She closed her eyes to calm herself; the constant stream of preparations was keeping her busy. She truly couldn't have predicted that the duel between the five swords would end like this.
Li Xian plucked three strands of hair, planting one outside the carriage and two inside. The hairs took root and could transmit senses, acting as eyes and ears, allowing him to freely grasp the situation inside and outside.
Li Xian thought to himself, "If we do it this way, there will be no chance of anything going wrong. The lady is unable to move, and it would be inappropriate to leave her here without taking some measures." He closed his eyes and sensed the situation inside and outside the carriage in his mind.
Her hearing was good, but her eyesight was poor. However, after the "Five Organs Avoiding Turbidity and Meeting Yang Meridian" treatment, her eyesight gradually improved, and she could now clearly discern body shapes and movements. Li Xian asked, "Madam, are you hungry?"
Wen Caishang closed her eyes, ignoring him, thinking to herself, "I'm so angry with you that I'm dizzy, how can I possibly eat anything else?" But fighting the Five Mountains Sword Alliance together, practicing swordsmanship in the lake for several days, had indeed depleted her strength, internal energy, and vitality. Now, the carriage was warm, and although she was trapped, her life wasn't in danger; instead, she was gradually feeling at ease. Even if danger arose, Li Xian would surely be the first to face it. The desire for food then welled up in her heart.
Li Xian smiled and said, "You must be hungry. I'm hungry too. Madam, wait a moment, I'll go into town to buy some food." He ran out of the carriage. Wen Caishang made two "woo-woo" sounds, and then the carriage door closed, and all was quiet.
It was past dusk, and the sky was dark. The birds and beasts in the forest were all asleep, and the pale moon shone on the lake like a mirror. Wen Caishang was extremely annoyed and bored. She sighed deeply, knowing that resistance was useless, and could only accept her fate and take the opportunity to practice the "Silkworm Robe Jade Inlay Technique".
After a moment, she opened her eyes with a resentful look. Just then, her progress in the Silkworm Robe Jade Technique was quite rapid.
Li Xian found the white horse and rode it back to the city. Flying Dragon City was as bustling as ever, with no curfew. In the distance, tall buildings with red lanterns and carved beams and painted rafters gleamed, people coming and going. The streets were lined with shops, bustling and lively, filled with the aroma of food vendors calling out their wares.
Li Xian thought to himself, "Madam is used to delicacies, so it shouldn't be a problem for her to occasionally eat some street food. Speaking of which... I've been in Flying Dragon City for quite some time now, and things have been piling up one after another. I haven't had a chance to properly stroll around the streets and alleys. Now that everything is settled, I'll take a good look around before I leave, so that this trip won't be in vain."
He dismounted and led the horse for a leisurely stroll. First, he found a nearby inn, bought some hay, fed the white horse well, and stored it at the inn.
Wandering through the streets and alleys, one sees street performers, entertainers, and iron-making demonstrations... Flying Dragon City is located in a relatively remote area, already on the edge of the Great Wu territory. Further northwest lies a vast expanse of snow-capped mountains, extremely cold and treacherous, a natural barrier that is very difficult to cross.
With such a strategic location, if He Wentian had the assistance of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and the Nine Aperture Dragon Heart Corpse Soldiers, he would have had the opportunity to carve out his own territory and become king. Unfortunately, he acted too hastily and was too ambitious, which led to his downfall and the complete failure of his plans.
Li Xian noticed that people in Feilong City had a habit of eating "hot pot soup." He fetched a hot pot, added charcoal to the bottom, poured in water, and waited for it to boil before gradually adding ingredients. Eating it while it was hot was quite enjoyable. When heavy snow was falling, he would invite friends indoors to drink wine and eat meat, warming themselves by the charcoal fire—how delightful!
“There was a similar dish in my past life, only the name was different. Although there is wind and snow now, it is not too heavy, which is just right.”
Li Xian then purchased ingredients, including horse meat, wild boar meat, and raccoon meat—each with its own unique flavor. He then strolled along the roadside, observing the food available for consumption. If he found something interesting, he would generously buy two portions.
The lakeside was serene and still. Wen Caishang lay on her bed, occasionally struggling, but ultimately unable to find peace. Li Xian, ever since arriving in Flying Dragon City, had sensed an impending crisis. Now, all the mysteries and difficulties had been completely resolved. Feeling cheerful and relaxed, he finally began to stroll and admire the city.
Seeing a vendor selling candied hawthorns by the street, Li Xian's appetite was whetted by the bright red sugar coating covering the round hawthorns. He bought a skewer; the sugar coating was crisp and sweet, and the hawthorns were fragrant. The taste was quite good. He then bought two more skewers and wrapped them in oil paper.
Li Xian made purchases along the way. When he passed by "Bixiangshui Pavilion," he frowned. He sneaked inside and saw a maid named Xiao Tuan with her hands on her hips, directing dozens of shop assistants to keep the pavilion tidy.
Xiao Tuan held a tree branch, his face looking fierce. But he was still quite young, so he didn't exude any menacing aura. He deliberately imitated Wen Caishang's tone of voice, but it seemed like he was trying too hard to appear mature.
She shouted, "Hurry up! Anyone who slacks off, I'll hit their hand with a branch! Don't underestimate me just because I'm small. Hehe, anyone who gets hit by this will be in so much pain they won't be able to utter a sound."
She had secretly watched Wen Caishang wield the Heartbreaking Sword, thrusting it towards Li Xian's palm as if striking his hand. She imitated her, doing her best to establish her authority. But the waving branches didn't land on the workers. Instead, she built up a reputation for benevolence, gaining widespread support; with a single shout, all the workers would vie to lead her in tasks.
Li Xian said with a sigh, "This little girl seems quite clever, and her temperament is much better than that of Qiu Yue and the like. At least that's what I see at the moment. My lady is captured by me, and this stalemate can't go on forever. I'll need her help later. But there's no rush. My lady's cultivation is very high. I'll combine our swords and use her cultivation to develop our sword techniques. In addition, the Yin-Yang Immortal Couple Sword incorporates the principles of Yin and Yang. When we develop our techniques, Yin and Yang swirl around each other, and the sword's momentum can last for a very long time. I expect that although my lady is very capable, she will hardly be able to accomplish anything in the next ten days or so. Please allow me to get everything sorted out."
Stepping through the hidden door of Bixiang Pavilion, just as they were about to leave the city, they overheard a passerby say, "Hurry up, or you'll miss it." "Yes, it's a rare Flying Dragon Celebration, with the City Lord personally presiding. He's so kind and benevolent; if it weren't for him, we wouldn't have such a good life." "In previous years, the celebration was organized by the Jieyou Pavilion, but this year it suddenly collapsed, forcing them to move to another location." "What a pity! City Lord He loves his people like his own children; why did he have to encounter such a tragedy? A perfectly good pavilion, how could it just collapse like that?"
Upon hearing this, Li Xian thought to himself, "He Wentian is indeed treacherous and cunning, but even in disguise, he truly governed the people of this place very well and was loved by them. Since leaving the tomb, I have never heard from him again, and I don't know what happened to him later."
Crowds gathered at one venue. It turned out that today was February 7th, the Flying Dragon City celebration, and the streets were bustling with activity, with pedestrians flowing in droves.
Li Xian followed the crowd toward the celebration. After waiting for half an incense stick's time, He Wentian appeared before the crowd, celebrating with them, and the atmosphere became extremely lively. He Wentian wore a red robe, his face beaming, and spoke words of congratulations.
Li Xian stared intently, and seeing that He Wentian was completely unharmed, he exclaimed inwardly, "Could it be that the Five Mountains Sword Sect has let He Wentian go like this? The Five Mountains Sword Alliance prides itself on being a prestigious sword sect, but He Wentian captured his female relatives, secretly plotted against them several times, and finally surrounded and killed them with a large force. The Five Mountains Sword Alliance would not be so merciful as to pretend that nothing happened."
Li Xian felt something was amiss: "Now that the Five Mountains Sword Sects have all left the city, so be it... I'll go and investigate. But if it really is He Wentian, I'm no match for him. I should hide myself well. My lady is currently bound; if she gets into trouble, it won't be easy to deal with." Extremely vigilant, he shrank back and hid in the crowd. His eyesight was extremely sharp, locking onto He Wentian's figure, and even amidst the chaos of the crowd, he could constantly detect his movements.
He Wentian, with his gentle and refined demeanor, exuded an air of nobility as he strode away, closely guarded by city soldiers. Li Xian, unable to approach immediately, observed the surrounding buildings and spotted a "Flying Dragon Tower," a towering structure offering a wide view. While keeping an eye on He Wentian, he sneaked into the Flying Dragon Tower, climbing to a higher vantage point to observe the area.
Seeing He Wentian get into the sedan chair and head west of the city, Li Xian thought to himself, "There are many city guards patrolling the streets and alleys. If I use my lightness skill, I will be detected immediately. If I expose myself, it will be extremely bad. I will first memorize his direction and predict his location, then quietly run to the vicinity, and then climb to a high place to scan and search. In this way, I can both observe his movements and keep myself hidden."
He opened his double pupils, his eyesight suddenly sharpening. Raising an eyebrow, he observed numerous details. The city was bustling with pedestrians, the carriage moving very slowly, and its bright green color and luxurious decor made it quite conspicuous. Li Xian anticipated a location and arrived there first. Along the way, he used his "Cloud-Soaring Hand" to steal a wandering swordsman's bamboo hat.
Upon arriving at the destination ahead of time, they climbed to the top of a tall building and used the height to scan the streets and alleys below. With their exceptionally sharp eyesight, they were able to spot He Wentian's whereabouts. They saw his carriage turn left and right, eventually arriving at a government office. He Wentian flicked his sleeves and alighted from the carriage, whereupon the government officials quickly came to meet him.
Li Xian thought to himself, "Could it be that He Wentian is really so diligent, coming to handle civil affairs so late at night?" His double pupils allowed him to see through the walls of the government office, where he saw a familiar figure—it was Han Qingxiao, whom he had encountered by chance at the Jieyou Tower years ago. Li Xian felt extremely strange and couldn't figure out why.
After observing for a moment, Lin Aoshan emerged from the yamen. Her face was beaming with smiles, and her steps were lively; she didn't seem to have encountered an enemy at all. He Wentian's expression turned grave, and he whispered a few words to Han Qingxiao and Lin Aoshan. Lin Aoshan and Han Qingxiao's expressions immediately darkened; they looked left and right, extremely wary.
Li Xian pondered: "Could it be that I was secretly observing and thought I was right, but I was still discovered? My former wife had this ability; she was very perceptive. It's not surprising that He Wentian noticed me. I was hiding far away, so even if he noticed me, he couldn't do anything to me. But this He Wentian is extremely strange. Logically speaking, if he knew he was being followed, he would have dispatched the city's soldiers to check on him, and it would have been far from discussing it with Han Qingxiao."
Han Qingxiao called out from afar, "I am Han Qingxiao of the Great Wu Dynasty's Sky Patrol Division. Senior, your secret following is hardly honorable. If possible, please come out and meet me!" As he spoke, ethereal celestial music emanated from his body. Mortals and clay figures could not hear the ethereal celestial music; only those with martial arts cultivation could hear this shout.
(End of this chapter)
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