Chapter 149: A handsome man and a beautiful woman, Qiuyue is jealous
The news of Wang Wu losing his arm quickly spread throughout the Martial Arts Hall.
To prevent Xu Liefeng from causing further trouble and injuring other constables, Li Xian simply closed the Wuwei Hall and gave all the constables four days off.
He then rode back to Yihe Village to see the lady.
"Madam is in seclusion. You should go back." Qiu Yue stood in the doorway, arms crossed, looking down at people with her nose in the air, deliberately displaying arrogance.
Li Xian shoved him aside and walked straight into the inner courtyard. Qiu Yue was furious, jumping up and down: "You bastard, how dare you force your way in!"
Li Xian said, "I am loyal to my wife. Since she is in seclusion, I will stay at the foot of the tower and wait for her to come out. How can this be considered forcibly breaking in?"
"You!" Qiu Yue clenched her fists, her anger barely contained. She missed Pang Long. That Pang Long was honest and simple, always focused on his work, and would never threaten her position.
Now, Li Xian is not only enjoying great fame outside, but he is also extremely favored by his wife and is very close to her. The two are often seen practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard; the handsome man and beautiful woman are quite an eye-catching sight.
Moreover, Qiuyue had a gut feeling that the lady seemed different, but she couldn't say or dared to say exactly what was different.
Out of jealousy, she hated Li Xian to the core. Taking advantage of the "honor" of helping the madam with her seclusion, she whispered in her ear: "Madam, that Li Xian is so young. I think his mind is fickle, and he might have ulterior motives."
"Besides, the lady is as beautiful as a fairy, and this young man is full of vigor. He must be thinking filthy things behind the scenes. It would be better to demote him and get rid of such a servant."
Such remarks are numerous.
The lady simply said, "I have my own plans, so don't say anything more."
Qiu Yue is truly showing off her skills in front of Guan Yu, making a fool of herself. In terms of cunning, shrewdness, and calculating interests, how can she compare to the Madam?
The lady saw through their little schemes at a glance. However, she needed Qiuyue's presence, so she didn't pursue the matter further.
In contrast, Li Xian was frequently punished, and each time he sought an audience with the lady, he would often come out with some injuries.
Li Xiankong waited for half a day.
at night.
The moonlight cast a veil-like shadow as the lady descended from the pagoda with lotus-like steps. Qiuyue, carrying an incense burner, followed behind. Beside the lady, she dared not be arrogant.
When the lady saw Li Xian, she turned to him and said, "Qiuyue, go and help me prepare the ingredients for the medicinal bath."
Qiu Yue bowed deeply, handed the incense burner to the lady, and replied, "Yes." Then she walked away. Only after turning the corner did she glance back slightly. She saw that the lady was already walking side by side with Li Xian.
They couldn't help but feel even more jealous.
And look at Li Xian, now he's grown tall and imposing. From the skinny, short, and weak man he was when he first arrived at the village, he's now full of energy, tall, and handsome.
He was even half a head taller than the lady.
Li Xian was quick and efficient, while his wife was graceful and elegant. Seeing the two walking around the lake, despite the vast difference in their social status, they appeared perfectly harmonious.
Qiu Yue suddenly thought, "Although I am Madam's personal maid, I always feel that I cannot truly belong to her. There is an invisible barrier between us, which is difficult to overcome even with great effort to please her. Yet this child can cross it so easily? Why is that?"
His mind was racing, but he dared not delay his wife's business. He hurried to gather medicinal herbs and prepare a medicinal bath.
Li Xian took the incense burner and carried it away. A strange fragrance burned inside, soothing and calming. However, carrying the incense burner meant being exposed to the scorching heat of the fire.
Madam Wen walked slowly, her hands clasped in front of her abdomen. Today she wore a light green dress with wide sleeves that reached her knees.
Li Xian had lived two lives, and in his previous life he had lived for over twenty years. In total, his experience was not extensive. He had not seen many women, but he knew that few women could match the lady's demeanor.
Madam Wen said, "Just tell me what it is."
Li Xian said, "Madam, I have come about Xu Liefeng."
“Xu Liefeng?” Madam Wen recalled for a moment, “You mean the Xu family’s sons, right?”
"I'm telling you to kill him. If you can't, then it's your problem."
She said calmly, "I will not help you. On the contrary... I have taught you many times, yet you cannot even kill a member of the Xu family. I should punish you."
“I did not ask Madam for help,” Li Xian said.
Mrs. Wen nodded.
The lake is vast. This inner lake was created by Madam Wen. When she was in seclusion for cultivation and felt tired and bored, she would look at the lake to pass the time.
The fish, cranes, trees, and willows in this lake are arranged in a way that has endless charm, making it a sight to behold.
We came to a willow tree.
Madam Wen sat on the stone bench, straightened her sleeves, and asked, "What is the matter?"
“Madam, I just have some questions,” Li Xian said.
“Speak,” said Madam Wen.
[Moyun Eight Styles]
[Proficiency: 198/1000 Mastery]
Li Xian placed the incense burner on the ground and, while massaging his wife's shoulders, said, "I met Xu Liefeng today. I sparred with him a bit."
"But what I really don't understand is that before I fought Xu Liefeng, I always heard a strange sound. It was like a tinkling sound, but it wasn't. It was very peculiar, and the sound made me feel quite irritated."
"I would like to ask Madam for an answer."
Madam Wen let out a soft "Eh," and said, "Could it be that Xu Liefeng has touched the second realm of martial arts?"
"The sound you just mentioned is called 'ethereal fairy music,' which is one of the characteristics of the second realm of martial arts."
"As the saying goes, celestial music is not heard by mortals. This sound... can only be heard by martial artists who have entered the Essence Consumption Realm. But it also has an effect on mortals."
Li Xian said solemnly, "It is indeed so!"
Madam Wen thought to herself, "Now that Xu Liefeng has reached the second realm of martial arts, he is no match for Li Xian. In the path of martial arts, how can one not suffer losses? Let him stumble. Then I will rescue him and punish him severely."
In a short while, I had made up my mind.
But he was also curious, knowing that Li Xian was clever and quick-witted, and that there might be some unexpected surprise.
She had no interest in the duel whatsoever; Xu Liefeng had lost limbs and eighty percent of his martial arts. Li Xian had entered the Essence Devouring Realm, making it easy for him to defeat Xu Liefeng. She had her own plans, and this arrangement had its own logic. But now, with this sudden turn of events, she had become interested.
“Madam, I understand.” Li Xian’s gaze was firm as she secretly devised a plan.
Madam Wen said calmly, "Are you already confident?"
"No, not at all," Li Xian shook his head and said, "but since Madam has given the order, I will try it even if it costs me my life."
Madam Wen smiled slightly, satisfied with the reply. "Since you're not sure, I'll give you a one-word hint. Figure it out yourself."
“Please speak, Madam,” Li Xianxi said.
"Water." Madam Wen flicked her fingers, picked up a pebble, and threw it into the lake. The pebble sank into the lake with a splash.
"The path of martial arts may lead to increasing strength, but sometimes, it is precisely because of this increasing strength that certain flaws arise."
"That's all I have to say. If you fail to kill him, I will punish you."
As she finished speaking, Madam Wen's voice grew cold, and she pointed her finger at Li Xian's brow. This gesture, seemingly affectionate, was in fact a stern rebuke.
After Li Xian left, Madam Wen watched his retreating figure with a look of great interest.
How will he handle this situation?
...
...
Li Xian left the inner courtyard, pondering the lady's suggestion.
He thought to himself, "Does Madam's hint have a deeper meaning, or is it just superficial? Madam mentioned 'water,' and also said that martial artists may have flaws. Could it be that... martial artists in the second realm are afraid of water?"
Li Xian savored the details of what had just happened, his eyes brightening slightly: "Madam threw a pebble into the lake, and the pebble sank into the lake. Could it be that... a second-realm martial artist doesn't know how to swim?"
However, they remained suspicious and uncertain.
Even among ordinary clay figures, many are skilled in movement techniques. Martial artists, who explore the principles of heaven and earth, possess extraordinary bodies; how could they not know movement techniques?
"Perhaps... it is because of its strength in a certain place that it fears Yu Shui. Regardless of whether this guess is right or wrong, I will give it a try."
"I have the Azure Water Pearl, which will definitely give me an advantage in the water."
Li Xian already had a plan, and there was no time to lose. That very night, he asked for paper and pen, and using the essence of the Four Directions Fist, he wrote a challenge.
The brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, and the overall composition is stable.
The challenge stated that four days later, he would fight Xu Liefeng by Qingning Lake to determine both victory and defeat, and to decide their fate.
The next day.
Li Xian arrived in front of the Leopard Blade Sect and shouted, "Xu Liefeng, come out quickly!"
A short while later, Xu Liefeng, dressed entirely in black robes, chuckled sinisterly, "Boy, there's still some time until the one-month deadline. Are you here to die already?"
Li Xian said loudly, "Since it's a duel, there must be a challenge letter. Keep this letter safe. Four days from now, all the masters in Qingning County will go to Qingning Lake to watch the battle!"
He tossed the envelope aside. Secretly channeling his inner energy, the letter gleamed like a knife. Xu Liefeng flicked his sleeve, catching the letter in his hand. He opened it, glanced at it, and said coldly, "Good...hahaha, excellent, excellent. Four days, exactly four days from now."
“My lady has given an order, out of consideration for your Xu family’s ancestors, that if you defeat me in four days, you may kill me. My lady will not pursue the matter,” Li Xian said loudly.
"Really?" Xu Liefeng exclaimed excitedly, "Did Madam really say that!?"
Li Xian sneered, "Do you think I would dare to falsely convey Madam's promise?"
"Yes, yes, even if you had ten times the courage, you would never dare!" Xu Liefeng knelt and bowed towards Yihe Manor: "Thank you for your mercy, Madam! Thank you for your mercy, Madam!"
He then looked at Li Xian and sneered, "Kid, enjoy your last moments! Hahaha."
Close the door.
"Master, is the day of the duel approaching?" Yang Tong, the fourth disciple, whose room was near the door, heard the noise and opened the window to ask.
Xu Liefeng laughed and said, "Yes, good disciple, your master doesn't need to die."
"The lady agreed to let us go."
"Master!" Yang Tong exclaimed excitedly. Wasn't this a blessing in disguise? He could receive Master's true teachings!
"Good disciple, tonight I will pass on the true teachings of martial arts to you. You stay in your room and wait patiently, and do not go out," Xu Liefeng said with a smile.
"yes!"
Yang Tong was overjoyed and returned to his room, sitting upright. He eagerly awaited nightfall so he could witness the true essence of martial arts. Four days later, he would compare and supplement the knowledge with his fellow disciples!
"That kid Li Xian's strength has increased quite rapidly. When I first met him, he struggled to even withstand one of my palm strikes. Yesterday, when I fought him, I felt his strength was immense. We must not underestimate him!"
"That brat Yang Tong, he did save my life, no small matter. I've spared him until today, which is more than enough. Tonight I'll drink his blood, then go into seclusion for a few days to practice that martial art..."
"Four days later, I will twist off Li Xian's head and then go to the madam to apologize. From then on, the grudges will be settled, and I... will still have something to do!"
Xu Liefeng was calculating in his mind.
At night...
As planned, he knocked on Yang Tong's door, and with ruthless cruelty, personally severed his disciple's head, drank his blood, and nourished the blood ginseng within his body.
Nourished by the essence of heaven and earth.
Digest it.
He immediately entered a meditative state and began practicing the "Blood Luo Technique." This was a mid-level martial art, obtained from the Bloodwing Demonic Cult. He acquired it along with the Blood Fungus Ginseng.
Seeing the strangeness of this evil technique, he never dared to practice it rashly.
Driven to the brink of despair, his blood vessels shattered, he was forced to survive using blood-infused ginseng. Later, recalling this martial art, he realized it was quite suitable for his current situation.
He then began his spiritual practice.
The daily progress is extremely fast.
He eagerly anticipated the competition four days later, determined to improve his strength as quickly as possible so that he could be absolutely certain of victory.
Little did they know that Li Xian had already sneaked into the Leopard Blade Sect at that very moment.
The daytime pronouncements of "the four-day agreement" and "madam, spare my life," the delivery of the challenge... everything he did was a deliberate deception.
This allowed Xu Liefeng to focus on preparing for the competition four days later.
Li Xian will do the opposite again and launch a surprise attack tonight to seize the initiative!
(End of this chapter)
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