Li Xian's Challenge: A Duel with the Jade Maiden atop Severed Palm Peak, Where Life and Death Will Be Decided
Daoxuan Mountain, located within the "Wanghe Dao" (a sect of Daoist sects), enjoys a resounding reputation and is the heart and soul of the people. It is considered the orthodox and vanguard of the righteous path, possessing a profound foundation and countless sages and heroes of the past. Throughout history, in times of great upheaval and chaos, its presence has been felt. The appearance of the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden is perhaps a once-in-a-millennium occurrence. The Jade Maiden signifies "a woman of pure jade in a turbid world," inherently noble and bearing the responsibility of dispelling evil and relieving suffering. Given Zhao Zaizai's status, she is destined to look down on Li Xian. Although she is repeatedly tricked, it is not due to a lack of intelligence, but rather the influence of various factors.
Nangong Xuanming's gaze darted around, and he suddenly said, "Gentlemen, I may have a plan that might force that Flower Thief to show himself."
Nangong Wuwang said, "Oh? Brother Xuanming, please tell me about it."
Zhao Ranran, Bian Qiaoqiao, Bian Chengfeng, Bian Bianyun, Su Lan Feng, Taishu Yuzhu, and others all turned to look. At this moment, wine, meat, and dishes were served one after another. Nangong Xuanming poured himself a cup of turbid wine, frowned upon tasting it, finding the wine's pungent and fishy smell almost unbearable. However, unwilling to lose face, he forced himself to drink it, saying, "To be honest—this plan was truly born out of my concern for the heroes. To appease their resentment, I was forced to devise it."
He said, "Qiao Mei's words just now reminded me. My cousin actually has a deep connection with the Flower Thief."
Everyone frowned upon hearing this. Nangong Xuanming then said, "Since that's the case, why not take advantage of this?"
Bian Chengfeng frowned and said, "Brother Xuanming, are you trying to use Sister Liuli as a hostage?"
Bian Qiaoqiao said angrily, "Hmph, we came here to save Sister Liuli. Now, in order to force the Flower Thief to show himself, we are using Sister Liuli as a hostage instead."
Such behavior makes us even worse Flower Thief. It's putting the cart before the horse."
Nangong Xuanming said, "Gentlemen, please be patient. I haven't explained myself clearly yet. Listen to my plan first, and then make a decision. If you feel it's inappropriate, just consider it a joke and forget it as soon as you hear it."
"Nangong Liuli is my cousin, and I care about her more than you do. This plan is, in a way, to help her Bitter Sea her suffering and to help her see the true face of that Flower Thief."
A wandering swordsman asked, "Young Master Xuanming, what exactly is the plan? Please tell us quickly!"
Nangong Xuanming said, "I intend to use Sister Liuli to lure out the Flower Thief, but I certainly don't intend to use her to blackmail him. She and that Flower Thief are kindred spirits, so we might as well lend her a hand and help her organize a celebration. We'll spread the word widely and see if that Flower Thief dares to attend the banquet."
Bian Chengfeng said solemnly, "This is inappropriate. Liuli's marriage is a major event that requires the approval of her paternal grandparents. We cannot afford to make a fuss about it. If the Nangong Clan blames us, we will certainly be punished."
Su Lan Feng said, "Moreover, this plan may not be feasible. That Flower Thief is as cunning as a fox. If he senses the danger in advance, he will not dare to show himself, and then we will suffer more losses than gains."
Nangong Wuwang said, "I think it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Since Sister Liuli and that Flower Thief are so deeply in love, who knows what unexpected surprises might come our way?"
Nangong Xuanming, "I will explain to the Nangong Clan myself. If there is any trouble, I will take full responsibility. Besides, Sister Liuli is not really getting married, and we don't even need her to appear. We only need to use her reputation to mislead them. If that Flower Thief has genuine feelings, he will naturally show himself. If he has no feelings, it will be good for Sister Liuli to face reality."
"As the saying goes, a short pain is better than a long one. This is like a strong medicine, but it can bring Sister Liuli back to the right path. It's truly a perfect solution."
Bian Qiaoqiao stood up and said, "I absolutely disagree. Your scheme is clearly meant to harm Sister Liuli!" Although she was innocent and straightforward, she had already vaguely sensed Nangong Xuanming's malicious intent.
Li Xian thought calmly, "The Nangong Clan is rife with undercurrents. Nangong Xuanming and Nangong Wuwang are from a collateral branch. I'm afraid capturing me is a minor matter, killing me is also a minor matter. Their real intention is to use my identity as Flower Thief to ruin Sister Liuli. Their goal is to defeat Liuli; I am insignificant."
Nangong Xuanming frowned and said, "What a joke! It wasn't me who harmed Sister Liuli, but that Flower Thief. If this thorn isn't removed, her heart will never heal, and she'll remain lost and unable to turn back. If she makes another mistake in the future, are you going to cover it up for her?"
The other martial arts practitioners, harboring resentment towards Li Xian and regarding Nangong Liuli as a delusional woman, felt no liking for her and chimed in with their comments. Bian Qiaoqiao was about to speak when Nangong Xuanming inwardly snorted and used a mysterious martial art to block Bian Qiaoqiao's chest with an unknown force.
Bian Chengfeng frowned and stepped in front of Bian Qiaoqiao. He and Bian Qiaoqiao were from the same clan, and since Nangong Xuanming was secretly bullying his cousin, he naturally had to protect her. Ka Bianyun even stood up and drew his sword, pointing it at Nangong Xuanming.
Nangong Wuwang kicked the table, shattering it with a crack. All the dishes crashed to the ground, and he caught Bian Bianyun's sword with a flick of his wrist. For a moment, the Bian and Nangong families faced off.
In the past, Bian Qiaoqiao returned to her clan to seek help. Bian Chengfeng and Bian Bianyun were both introduced to her by her clan father. Although they shared the same surname and lineage and had a shallow personal relationship, their blood ties were deep. When she went to the Nangong Clan for help, she was manipulated by many people, and Nangong Xuanming and Nangong Wuwang, members of their collateral branches, were sent to participate. Nangong Xuanming and Nangong Wuwang were not from the same lineage, but at this moment their interests were aligned. Their original intention for this trip was to make a name for themselves in suppressing bandits. If they had the opportunity, they would do their best to hinder and suppress Nangong Liuli in order to seize the Lineage's interests.
Nangong Xuanming said, "What do you mean? Does the Bian Clan also intend to help the Flower Thief?" Bian Chengfeng frowned and said, "We will not stop you from discussing your plans. But it is not very ethical of you to use underhanded means to prevent my sister from speaking."
Nangong Wuwang said, "Hmph, your cousin is still young and inexperienced. She has no right to speak here. You may tolerate her lack of manners, but we have our limits."
Nangong Xuanming said, "Don't forget, your cousin was also captured by the Flower Thief. Could it be that she—"
Bian Chengfeng roared in fury, "You spout nonsense! You've insulted my clanswoman's reputation! Take this!" He immediately swung his sword. Nangong Xuanming leaned back to dodge, and they were both about to make their moves to press each other.
Suddenly, Taishu Yuzhu and Su Lan Feng stepped in to stop the fight. Su Lan Feng said, "We are fellow travelers who have faced dangers together. Let's discuss this properly."
Both sides were resentful. The onlookers remained silent. Seeing this, Nangong Xuanming suddenly had another idea and said, "Since that's the case, how about a vote! The Nangong Clan, the Bian Clan, the Jianghu guests, and Profound Dao Mountain will each have one vote."
Bian Qiaoqiao's eyes lit up with hope, and she immediately said, "I absolutely disagree." Bian Bianyun and Bian Chengfeng followed her decision and both disagreed.
Nangong Xuanming and Nangong Wuwang naturally agreed. The martial arts practitioners, still wounded and having narrowly escaped death because of Li Xian, all agreed with Nangong Xuanming. Thus, the situation reversed, and everyone looked to Taishu Yuzhu, Su Lan Feng, and Zhao Zairan.
Bian Qiaoqiao looked to Zhao Zaizai for help and said, "Sister Zaizai--" She saw Zhao Zaizai drinking her tea, her face veiled as if shrouded in mist, and she could not know what she was thinking.
Taishu Yuzhu and Su Lan Feng were both left to Zhao Zaizai to decide. If she objected, it would be a tie, and they would discuss it again later. Zhao Zaizai said, "Profound Dao Mountain doesn't usually concern itself with Lineage affairs. Whatever you discuss is none of my business." Then she went upstairs.
Su Lan Feng laughed and said, "It seems you've forfeited. Everyone should rest early." He then followed him upstairs.
Bian Qiaoqiao anxiously called out "Sister Zai Zai" several times, Zhao Zaizai did not respond and had already entered the building. Nangong Xuanming warned, "Brother Bian, the unpleasantness just now has been put aside. Now that things are clear, we have two votes and you have one vote. Please keep an eye on your own Lineage. Don't interfere recklessly."
She then returned to her room to rest. Bian Chengfeng said, "Qiaomei, there are undercurrents in the Nangong Clan, why should we pay too much attention to them? Let's rest well." Bian Qiaoqiao said, "But--but-this is really bad for Sister Liuli-- " She couldn't figure out the details, but she knew that this matter would definitely be detrimental to Nangong Liuli.
Bian Bianyun said, "Therefore, even those of the same clan and surname, if not of the same lineage, will still be embroiled in conflict. We must unite even more."
Bian Qiaoqiao said, "I just... I feel that Sister Zai Zai has changed a bit." Bian Chengfeng said, "She is Jade Maiden; her thoughts and considerations are different from ours. Don't overthink it, just rest well."
The Bian Clan went upstairs to rest, and the wandering swordsmen dispersed, each returning to their own rooms. The innkeeper and his men cleaned up the mess, when they noticed a guest still drinking in a corner.
The innkeeper said, "Sir, you—" Li Xian remained calm, took out a dozen taels of silver from his pocket, and said, "Bring me some more good wine."
The shopkeeper took the silver, weighed it carefully, and found it to be several dozen taels. A thought suddenly struck him, and he wanted to take most of it. Suddenly, he heard Li Xian slowly turn his head to look at him, his face calm, but his eyes gradually revealed something strange.
The Double-Pupil Aspect subtly revealed their true form. That wave-like power instantly swept over. The shopkeeper, who had dealt with bandits since childhood and possessed considerable courage, felt a chill run down his spine upon seeing those eyes.
His mind felt as if it had been pierced by countless hot needles, and he stood frozen, completely blank. Li Xian said calmly, "Stop playing tricks, just bring the wine."
He turned back to continue drinking. After a long while, the innkeeper felt a slight chill beneath him and smelled a foul stench. His legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground, defecating and urinating. The stench assaulted Li Xian, who, despite his legs not obeying his will, scrambled away. He immediately sent someone to bring him strong liquor and strong food.
Yuan Zi was trembling with fear and dared not show himself again. Li Xian drank alone, his thoughts racing. He knew his life was as worthless as mud and he was bound to be bullied. But he always upheld a kind heart. While serving at the Water Altar of the Flower Cage Sect, he had never harmed a single person. During his trip to Flying Dragon City, the Five-Mountain Sword Sect besieged and attacked him, trying to kill him and destroy his soul. He didn't care at all and even tried to rescue the women of the sword sect.
Despite all the misfortunes, he still suffered the consequences. The world treated him as a worthless person, and there were very few who spoke up for him. He was carefree by nature and didn't care about other people's opinions. But when Nangong Liuli defended him and helped him express his grievances, she was treated like this.
The Jade Maiden is supposed to have the responsibility of guiding the world, but if she has any dealings with Li Xian, she will refuse to help him. Zhao Zaizai is quite cunning; she seems to be abstaining, but in reality, she agrees.
Li Xian recalled his time living with the Green Ox. He knew that the Green Ox possessed the Earthly Essence and the Earthly Essence, which were stored on Dao Xuan Mountain. He would surely climb the mountain to retrieve them in the future, so he often inquired about matters related to Dao Xuan Mountain. Whenever Nangong Liuli mentioned the "Golden Boy and Jade Girl" and "Zhao Ranran," she made no attempt to hide her admiration and respect.
The capture of the Flower Thief by Nangong Xuanming and his group was a ruse; their true intention was to destroy Nangong Liuli. If the wedding were to actually take place, whether it succeeds or fails, even if it's just a show, how would Nangong Liuli present herself upon returning to the Nangong Clan? Would she be the Flower Thief's wife, or the legitimate daughter of the Nangong family? Since she is not a member of the Nangong Clan, how would she receive a share of the Essence Treasure?
Furthermore, Nangong Liuli has a strong-willed personality. If she were truly in this situation and forced into it, it is quite possible that she would rather die than submit. Even Ka Qiaoqiao could vaguely sense that Nangong Xuanming was going to ruin his reputation and take his life.
Zhao Zaizai pretended not to see it, which was tantamount to acquiescing.
Li Xian looked up at the moon, crushed his wine cup, and calmly thought, "If you don't care about Sister Liuli's life, why did you travel so far to save her? Fine, this world never helps me, so I'll help myself. Trying to destroy my Sister Liuli won't be so easy."
He finished his drink and no longer wished to stay at the Peaceful Inn. He quietly slipped away, walking through the streets, a cold wind brushing his face. Swallowing Water City was located Dongran Lake, and the wind carried the scent of water and fish. Occasionally, bandits could be seen loitering on the streets.
Li Xian knew that although "Nangong Xuanming" was determined to deal with Nangong Liuli, the crux of the matter lay with him. He gazed at the lake, at the scenery within it, where Lake Mountain stood tall.
In the distance stands a mountain shaped like a palm. This mountain is called "Severed Palm Peak". Legend has it that a martial arts master's palm was severed and fell into a lake. However, the palm contained the evolution of martial arts, and over the decades, it transformed into a towering, strange mountain.
The palm lines in the mountain are clearly visible, suggesting it's not just a baseless rumor.
The Severed Palm Peak was quite far away, but Li Xian's eyesight was exceptional, and he could vaguely make out its location. He immediately borrowed a small boat and rowed with all his might towards the Severed Palm Peak.
After walking for about half an hour, we arrived at the foot of Severed Palm Peak.
The lake waves lap against the mountain peaks year-round, creating a landscape of strangely shaped rocks. This Severed Palm Peak is positioned in a "flower-picking" posture, with a unique shape and a small pool of water in its palm.
Although this peak is large, it is uninhabited. Bandits once tried to make their home here.
But within half a month, they all fell ill and died. It must be related to the rumored martial arts master. Li Xian quickly scanned the area, taking in all the details. His mind gradually became clear. He then sailed back to Tunshui Town.
He clenched his fist. "Only by taking a risk can we ensure success." With the remaining money, he bought a heavy bow and dozens of bronze arrows. His will was firm, and he was ready to take the next step.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw Bian Qiaoqiao running out with red eyes. Li Xian said strangely, "Has this girl been bullied again? Although she is quite strong, she is inexperienced. Ordinary river bandits and mountain bandits are no match for her. However, if she is surrounded or falls into a trap, she is easily defeated. She is thinking of Sister Liuli. Let's go and protect her."
Li Xian, clear about his grudges, quietly followed. Bian Qiaoqiao, completely unaware, ran around aimlessly, seemingly to vent her anger and relieve her boredom.
Finally, they stopped by the lake and threw pebbles into the water.
Back in her room, Bian Qiaoqiao was filled with worries but had no immediate solution. She could only try to rest, but tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
He then began to ponder the old stories again.
"When Green Ox Residence saw Sister Liuli again that day, her face was peaceful, her brows relaxed, and her beauty radiant, unlike her usual sorrowful and troubled state. After we rescued her, she became even more melancholy and resentful. People should be happy in life. If we had known this would happen, we would have only made Sister Liuli unhappy. Why did I rescue Sister Liuli and make her unhappy? And that Nangong Xuanming is going to hold some kind of wedding; it's obvious he's harboring malicious intentions."
She knew it was definitely not a good thing, but she didn't understand the consequences. Now, alone in the utter silence of the room, she slowly pondered, "Women all value their names—"
--
"Sister Zai Zai values her reputation highly. This forced marriage will definitely not go well and will damage Sister Liuli's reputation. Besides—ah—if she marries out, she will no longer be considered a descendant of the Nangong Clan. In that case, wouldn't she have no Essence Treasure to eat? Even if it's a fake marriage, if this matter gets back to the Lineage, it will be much more difficult to obtain resources. She will also lose all chance to Higher Vehicle the Lineage's superior martial arts!"
"And everyone hates the Flower Thief Flower Thief. Sister Liuli has been forced into marriage with him, and might even be expelled from the family! Even if there are some old fogies in the Lineage who despise her, they certainly won't let Sister Liuli go. Besides, I just heard about some internal Lineage strife; if they keep pushing her, using this as a pretext, perhaps—"
Perhaps—it will lead Sister Liuli to prove her innocence with her death, and not disgrace the Lineage name.
She jumped up in shock, her scalp tingling, her eyes wide, recalling what she had heard in her childhood about her Lineage. There was a woman in the Lineage who had been involved with Outer Dao and heretics, which the Lineage could not tolerate. Later, she was attacked by others, and in order to protect the Lineage's reputation, they gave her poison, forcing her to her death.
There were clues to this. Bian Qiaoqiao felt a chill run down her spine when she thought of this. For a moment, she regarded Nangong Xuanming and Nangong Wuwang as monsters, and the thought of it was terrifying. She never expected that the two of them were so vicious. They would frame their own clan and fellow disciples in this way.
Bian Qiaoqiao said firmly, "No! I can't just watch Liuli suffer such a terrible fate!" Her eyes reddened, and she sobbed uncontrollably. She immediately went to the door of Ka Riding the Wind and knocked urgently.
Seeing that Bian Qiaoqiao's tears were hard to stop, Bian Chengfeng immediately said in a deep voice, "Did that scoundrel Xuanming bully you again? Come in and tell me!" He pulled Bian Qiaoqiao into the room, closed the door, and gently patted her shoulder to comfort her.
Bian Chengfeng found his cousin to be well-behaved, adorable, and innocent, and he had been quite pleased with her throughout the journey. Seeing her weeping incessantly, he felt a pang of sympathy. He gently asked, "Qiaomei, what's wrong? Tell me. I, your cousin, will do my best to help you."
Bian Qiaoqiao gradually stopped crying and repeated her previous reasoning, saying, "Brother Riding the Wind, this matter cannot be left like this, otherwise—otherwise—Sister Liuli will be in big trouble!" She paused and then continued, "Please come with me to call Brother Bianyun, and then go find Nangong Xuanming and Nangong Wuwang! They want to kill us, let's expose them!"
Bian Chengfeng saw that this matter had come up again, he raised his hand and said, "This matter is over. Let's talk about it again. We just raised our hands to vote. We have already followed your wishes, and the matter has been Dust Settled. It is not appropriate to make trouble again."
"Furthermore, what happens to Nangong Liuli is a matter for the Nangong Clan; it's not appropriate for our Bian Clan to interfere."
"Besides, you had already agreed to the outcome at the time. To go back on your word like this Non-Self the style of the Bian Clan."
Bian Qiaoqiao pleaded anxiously, "How can this be the same? At first, I thought they were just trying to tarnish Sister Liuli's reputation. I never imagined they would be so vicious, even trying to kill Sister Liuli. Brother Riding the Wind —please help me!"
Bian Chengfeng said, "If it were anything else, we could discuss it. But even Zhao Zaizai didn't say a word about this. Why should I interfere?"
Bian Qiaoqiao pleaded several times. Bian Chengfeng grew impatient and said, "Alright, alright, we'll discuss this another day. I need to rest, you should rest too." He gently pushed his palm, and the wind from his palm sent Bian Qiaoqiao flying.
Bian Qiaoqiao knocked on the door forcefully, but there was no response. Knowing that Bian Chengfeng was unwilling to help, she clenched her fists. This concerned Nangong Liuli's reputation, honor, and life; how could she give up so easily? So she went to find Ka Bianyun again.
Bian Bianyun was cold and aloof. He had only helped Bian Qiaoqiao because they were from the same clan. Seeing that Bian Qiaoqiao was still bothered by this matter, he naturally wouldn't pay any attention to it. Annoyed by Bian Qiaoqiao's nagging, he simply kicked her out of the guest room.
Bian Qiaoqiao was repeatedly rejected, her heart filled with a chilling cold, experiencing firsthand the fickleness of human relationships. She thought to herself, "Yes, if I can get Sister Zai Zai's help in this matter, it will be better than those two brothers. Sister Zai Zai is willing to come with me on a long journey to wipe out the Flower Thief. If I go and beg her, she will definitely agree."
She found Zhao Zaizai's door and was about to knock when a gust of wind blew in, forcing her to take several steps back. Su Lan Feng folding fan and smiled, "Sister Bian, what brings you here so late?"
Bian Qiaoqiao said, "I have something to discuss with Sister Zai Zai." Su Lan Feng said, "If it's about Nangong Liuli, then there's no need to bother you."
"Junior sister is already resting," Bian Qiaoqiao said. "Even if it's inconvenient, I must see Sister Zai Zai!" She was about to force her way in.
Su Lan Feng chuckled and casually waved his fan. A gust of wind swept out, forcing Bian Qiaoqiao to retreat repeatedly. Bian Qiaoqiao tried to speak, but as soon as her lips parted slightly, she felt the gust of wind enter her mouth and tongue, suppressing her voice. Bian Qiaoqiao tried several times in this way, but was always forced back into silence.
She stood at the corner of the corridor, her beautiful eyes reddening, gazing for a long time before wiping away a tear and angrily walking out of the inn. The night in Swallowing Water City was quiet. Bian Qiaoqiao, filled with grievances and confusion, wandered aimlessly through several streets.
The resentment in my heart is hard to dispel, and many things are extremely unclear. Tonight, the moon is full and round, but its beautiful light seems cold.
Bian Qiaoqiao walked to a lakeside and picked up pebbles from the shore to shoot at it. She regretted her lack of talent and wisdom, knowing full well how Nangong Xuanming intended to harm her, yet not knowing how to help. She recalled that her original purpose for coming here was to rescue Nangong Liuli, so why did she end up harming her instead?
Suddenly, she heard several rustling footsteps. Bian Qiaoqiao turned around and said, "Who!" She saw several dark figures walking out from outside the lake, their bodies exuding a fierce aura. They were actually bandits from Swallowing Water City.
The bandits laughed and joked, forming a circle around her. It turned out that Bian Qiaoqiao had fled in anger, her figure beautiful. Since there were many bandits in Swallowing Water City, their eyes were naturally drawn to her. Seeing that she was alone, they harbored evil intentions and surrounded her even more closely.
Bian Qiaoqiao shouted, "Alright, I've been looking for someone to vent my anger on!" Undeterred, she took the initiative to attack. She was very strong, and for a time, the bandits could not get close to her. But seeing that there were more and more bandits, she couldn't help but feel secretly frightened because she had no experience in this area.
Suddenly, howls came from elsewhere, and figures scattered and flew up. Some crashed into walls, some fell into water, some hung from trees, and some dangled from eaves. The screams were so pitiful that the bandits were terrified and fled in all directions.
Bian Qiaoqiao looked closely and saw a tall, slender figure coming to her aid. The bandits were of average strength, but numerous. Although she was confident she could handle them, she didn't want to waste her energy and skills, so she went up to them, cupped her hands in thanks, and said, "Hero, thank you for your help!"
Li Xian said, "No need."
The moonlight was bright, and the lake was like a mirror, shimmering with light. Bian Qiaoqiao's gaze wandered, and she made out the face of the person who had just arrived.
Against the backdrop of the cold moon and the gentle breeze blowing across the lake, the man, simply dressed, with a face as handsome as jade and an unusual appearance, was a rare and exceptionally handsome man. Could he not be the "rising Flower Thief Li Xian"? Bian Qiaoqiao had seen a portrait of Li Xian, which showed his handsomeness, but it did not capture even a fraction of his true appearance.
She had seen Li Xian when she was tied up and hoisted into the cabin. But the light was dim and the angle was strange, so she couldn't see him clearly.
Upon seeing each other suddenly, she was momentarily stunned and stammered, "Ah! No wonder Sister Liuli —she—" Her pupils trembled slightly. When she came to her senses, she gritted her teeth and scolded in a delicate voice, "It's you!" She immediately made a move to capture her. Li Xian had already made a move first and grabbed Bian Qiaoqiao's hands.
Bian Qiaoqiao gritted her teeth and immediately kicked out with her leg. Li Xian, on guard, reached out with his left hand and grabbed Bian Qiaoqiao's ankle. In this way, Bian Qiaoqiao could hardly move and was completely choked, and she thought to herself that she was in trouble.
Li Xian released her grip, pushing Bian Qiaoqiao away, and said calmly, "Don't make a sound." Bian Qiaoqiao immediately took several steps back, looking at Li Xian, and cursed, "You Flower Thief, what are you doing here!?"
Li Xian said, "You're too reckless. Although you have some strength and ability, running out alone might allow you to withstand open attacks, but not covert ones. In this Swallowing Water City, you're very likely to capsize unexpectedly."
"If they catch us and take us back to their hideout, they'll blame it on me again."
Bian Qiaoqiao said, "Hmph, do I need you to teach me a lesson? You stinking Flower Thief, dead Flower Thief, wicked Flower Thief, ugly Flower Thief! Mind your own business first! And—and—Sister Liuli has been—" She finished speaking and her eyes reddened as she glared at Li Xian hatefully.
Li Xian said, "You Profound Dao Mountain are truly passed down from generation to generation. Repaying evil with kindness, and then turning the tables on others."
He then said, "I've come to tell you something. I'll handle Nangong Liuli's matter myself. So don't cause any trouble."
Bian Qiaoqiao paused, then asked, "You—what do you know?" Li Xian replied, "I was drinking in the inn at the time, and I overheard your entire conversation. It's laughable that you upright and righteous Aristocratic Clan couldn't catch me when I was right in front of you. Instead, you resorted to despicable schemes."
Li Xian said solemnly, "When you see Nangong Liuli in the future, tell her about Nangong Xuanming's treacherous intentions so that she can be on guard. The infighting within your Lineage has reached such a point. Your capture by the Flower Thief might not have been at the behest of some villain."
Bian Qiaoqiao blushed, feeling utterly ashamed after being scolded. Hearing his words, she wanted to argue but couldn't find the words. She mumbled, "You're clearly Flower Thief, as if you're some kind of virtuous person." Wiping away her tears, she tentatively asked, "You—you really have a way to solve this?"
Li Xian said, "Of course." Bian Qiaoqiao said, "What method? If it can—if it can help Sister Liuli, then that would be a good thing."
Li Xian said, "You don't need to know. But if you trust me, just wait two days, and you'll know the answer." Bian Qiaoqiao jumped up, angrily saying, "You're lying! You're planning to use these two days to escape!"
Li Xian said, "If I wanted to run away, why would I have come out to help you?" He rubbed his shoulder, turned around nonchalantly, and his voice slowly drifted back, "Anyway, that's how it is. Don't say you've seen me before. Although you're a bit slow, you should be able to tell what's important. My life, Li Xian's, is as insignificant as dust to you. But Sister Liuli must hold some weight in your heart, right?"
Ka Qiaoqiao stared at Li Xian's retreating figure, feeling utterly bewildered.
She sought help from Bian Chengfeng, Bian Bianyun, Zhao Zaizai, and others, but was completely rejected. Unexpectedly, one of them turned out to be a Flower Thief who truly cared about Nangong Liuli's life.
She was so captivated by his dashing figure that she stared in a daze for a long time, and unconsciously watched Li Xian walk around the corner and disappear.
Li Xian's Peach Blossom Bow was damaged. The newly purchased "heavy bow" was of rough quality, but it was barely usable. Li Xian plucked the bowstring to get used to the strength of the heavy bow.
Leaving Swallowing Water City, he climbed a distant hilltop, from which he could see the Peaceful Inn. The mountain wind howled, and he stood tall, his eyes gleaming. He thought, "That Profound Dao Mountain Jade Maiden, Zhao Yingying, utterly despises me, yet her intent to kill me is inexplicably strong. The way to break this stalemate is simple; though not foolproof, it's worth a try. If I don't try—Sister Liuli will suffer because of me—"
He drew the bowstring taut, released it with two fingers, and sent the bronze arrow flying. The arrow hurtled like a dragon, heading straight for the Peaceful Inn. With a snap, it shattered through the window.
Zhao Yingying suddenly opened her eyes, easily catching the arrow with two fingers. There was a note on the arrow's fletching, which read, "Tomorrow evening, at Severed Palm Peak, we'll see who lives and who dies!"