Li Xian said: "Old friend, we et again!" He placed the Sinking River Sword at his waist. Then he drew the Cyan Sword, which in terms of quality was inferior to the Sinking River Sword, its sharpness and tenacity unmatched, but lacked the Playing with Water characteristic. Yet, it was as pristine as new, the blade sleek and glossy, without a trace of wear.
Both swords were useful, hanging at his side. Li Xian pondered: "The urgent task is to first understand the situation, then decide the next move. But Flying Dragon City is sealed and locked, if I investigate rashly, I will surely attract attention."
Pacing and thinking, though he had learned Skill·Golden Light, temporarily escaping Wen Caishang, the situation within the city remained unclear. Li Xian suddenly thought: "I will use the identity of Zhou Ping’an to et Gu Nianjun, inquire about the circumstances, and naturally clarify everything."
Imdiately donning a white mask, carrying a red bow, he wished not to attract attention, thus seeking Cui Zhu Residence under the night. Inside, dim lights flickered, Li Xian stealthily approached, seeing Zhou Shijie in the hall, seemingly lost in thought.
Li Xian thought skeptically: "This talented Young Master Zhou is a worldly man, similar to . I have no topic with him, but this Sinking River Sword does have a connection."
He bypassed Zhou Shijie, proceeding to search the other courtyard. The courtyard’s green bamboo was serene, but had been neglected, snow piled up, breaking several branches. Li Xian was happily paired with Wen Caishang, oblivious to the outside world, unaware of changes.
Li Xian found Gu Nianjun’s bedroom, noting a faint fragrance within, with paintings, calligraphy samples... and other items on the desk. The paintings were quite graceful, the calligraphy elegant and proficient. Her knowledge was profound, her deanor refined.
Li Xian slightly frowned, seeing faint dust on the artworks. The bedroom had been uninhabited for days. He searched for clues on the spot, finding various outfits, animal leather boots, silk socks, handkerchiefs... personal adornnts, jade belts, sachets... and other miscellaneous items.
Among them were intimate items, not suitable to scrutinize. Li Xian inspected each closely without reservation, pondering:
"These garnts are intact, indicating Gu Nianjun had no plans to leave; why hasn’t she returned for days? Truly peculiar. Gu Nianjun is strong, sharp-witted, any ordinary trouble she could resolve. Her prolonged absence surely has a reason."
He ticulously examined Gu Nianjun’s leftover items. Her dresses and other things yielded no clues, focusing on a few pairs of traveling boots. There were three pairs, differing in quality. Two pairs for hunting travels, one for socializing.
The social boots were beautifully crafted, their embroidery naturally exquisite. The other two pairs had no ordinary material, beyond common use. Frequent travel gave them a slight sweat scent, mixed with fragrance. Li Xian paid attention to the dirt on the soles.
Pondering: "Normally, walking in snow makes acquiring dirt difficult. Yet, the soles here show mud stains. Moreover..."
"It’s so sort of golden mud. I heard from a lady, in certain unique Feng Shui terrains, the soil differs. This golden mud is ford by extraordinary Feng Shui, naturally catalyzed by heaven and earth. Encountering this mud implies a nearby tomb."
Li Xian felt even more puzzled. Suddenly hearing movent in the front yard, he stealthily approached. Seeing Wang Dezhong, Yang Wentian, and several young n arriving, they spoke to Zhou Shijie: "Brother Zhou, don’t worry. Surely Miss Gu, with her great fortune, will be unhard."
Zhou Shijie gratefully responded: "Two brothers, despite your busyness, ca to comfort . I am deeply indebted. Alas, similarly, Elder Sister Liu of the纠山剑派, Elder Sister Zhou, even Elder Yun, they all... all vanished."
Wang Dezhong gritted his teeth: "Despicable villain! If our Sword Sect’s elder sisters suffer any harm, retribution will be blood for blood!"
Yang Wentian said: "That audacious villain, it’s not just Elder Sisters and Elders from the纠山剑派. Elderly ladies of Li Mountain Sword Sect, Lake Mountain Sword Sect, Yue Mountain Sword Sect, Yang Mountain Sword Sect, all went missing without cause, truly strange and puzzling."
Li Xian muttered: "Who is so bold, so formidable? Good heavens, to sweep up the Five Great Sword Sects entirely. The Five Sects are united, yet all the ladies were captured, such disgrace!"
Continuing to overhear the three’s conversation.
Yang Wentian said: "City Lord He, wisely righteous, ordered the city sealed to help the Five Sects search for the villain. He dispatched city soldiers to assist, reportedly there are leads, having captured a minor thief from the Flower Cage Sect, rigorously interrogated, and gained so clues."
Wang Dezhong said: "Indeed, that petty thief divulged the Flower Cage Sect’s city roster. Currently suspected culprits are not high-ranking elders like Ye Cheng, but a newcor from Flower Cage Sect..."
Zhou Shijie asked: "What’s the villain’s na? I’ll tear him limb from limb!" Drawing his sword with vehent nace.
Yang Wentian said: "The culprit took an infamous na; surna Hua, na Wu Cuo."
"Flower Cage Sect’s rising star Hua Wu Cuo!"
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