The Lakes and Mountains Sword Sect consists entirely of won, whose swordsmanship is subtle and their deanor shy. Reluctant to showcase their abilities, an elder suggested to set another venue, organizing a "Dragon and Phoenix Grand Banquet." Won attend the Phoenix Banquet, n the Dragon Banquet. Each show off their talents, and when the ti cos, let us see if the dragon or the phoenix is more splendid.
Upon hearing this, the elders nodded in unison: "This Dragon and Phoenix Banquet kindles a rivalry between dragons and phoenixes, breaking the sectarian distinctions. The n share brotherly affection, and the won sisterly love. The competition sparks fireworks, and perhaps so beautiful tales will erge."
They agreed with pleasure, dividing into Dragon and Phoenix Banquets to break the sectarian distinctions. The Dragon Banquet was lively; brothers from various generations interacted, comparing the strengths and weaknesses of different sects’ swordsmanship. The Phoenix Banquet was vibrant, with laughter like spring. The usually shy female disciples saw that everyone was like sisters, so they dared to open up and imrse themselves in the atmosphere.
When the excitent was at its peak, the Dragon and Phoenix joined in one banquet for a grand contest, surely a major success. Not only would it make the Five Sects as close as family, but it could also result in several perfect couples. Yet, as the excitent grew stronger, the laughter at the Phoenix Banquet gradually ceased.
When the people at the Dragon Banquet ca to their senses and went to check on the Phoenix Banquet, they only found lingering fragrance with no trace of anyone. They searched everywhere but found no clues. Everyone was puzzled; although the Phoenix Banquet comprised only won, it included many heroines, not ones to disappear easily.
Searching aimlessly, after a day passed, they learned that the won from various sects had indeed vanished. Later, the suspicion fell on the Flower Cage Sect, and they joined forces with City Lord He to seal the city and conduct a mass hunt for thieves of the Flower Cage Sect.
Li Xian, understanding the causes and consequences, realized it was not the Flower Cage Sect’s doing. Rembering Wen Caishang’s evaluation of He Wentian, he thought, "The won’s disappearance must have sothing to do with City Lord He. It could well be his doing, but the Flower Cage Sect’s reputation precedes it, so this mistake is firmly pinned on them, and no explanation would be believed. Alas... this black pot has fallen on instead."
"That City Lord He is quite reputable, unlikely to be driven by lust. This matter cannot be easily arranged."
At a loss for what to do next, another half-day passed. Li Xian reckoned his identity was not yet exposed and went out to observe. He soon heard the sound of thundering hooves, as disciples of sword sects and city soldiers patrolled the streets, with tight defenses. As Li Xian traveled through the bustling market, suddenly the ’Copper Gong’ rang out, and people gathered towards the announcent board.
Li Xian followed the crowd and saw two soldiers posting portraits on the announcent board. There were seven or eight pictures, including wanted posters for Ye Cheng, An Weicheng, Tang Wenshu, Li Jiu, and Li Xian himself. Li Xian’s portrait was the most prominent, looking only forty percent like him; the informality of the brushstrokes could not capture his spirit, yet it was still very handso, with a distinctive red mole between the brows.
It turned out... a mber of the Flower Cage Sect had been captured and, under torture, had given portraits of people from the Flower Cage Sect. The portraits of Ye Cheng, An Weicheng, etc., were only thirty to forty percent similar, not easy to recognize, but Li Xian’s was instantly recognizable due to his distinctive features.
In front of the announcent board, there gathered sword sect disciples, who spat at the portraits and cursed, "These scoundrels, if I catch them, they won’t die peacefully." "These scoundrels are doing such wicked deeds; alive, they’re maggots; dead, they’re wicked spirits. May the heavens open their eyes and strike them with lightning, so their form and spirit perish together." "No, no, this is too easy for them. I must flay them, but keep them alive to beg for their lives along the streets, suffering endless curses."
Li Xian remained indifferent, thinking, "They act quickly; thankfully, at the Fox Banquet, I never took off my mask. But now my reputation is already destroyed! Oh well, worldly fa, what use is it? As long as I can face myself with a clear conscience, it’s enough."
The clamor of ordinary people and Jianghu wanderers was endless: "That young man is handso, how could he do such evil things?" "They say looks reflect the heart, but this ti it’s an exception; this child is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, deserving execution." "City Lord He is formidable and will definitely not let the villain escape. When this villain is captured, his head will surely roll."
Li Xian silently protested, "Commoners are ignorant; they don’t know the whole story. It’s natural to curse ; I’ve long been associated with the Flower Cage Sect and expected to be spat upon. No matter, let them curse if they wish." He discreetly observed around; seeing nearly dozens of sword sect disciples and Jianghu wanderers, leaving now might arouse suspicion. He needed to wait a little longer and disperse with the crowd.
As he observed further, suddenly he heard several cries of "Yah!" In the distance, Zhou Shijie, Wang Dezhong, Yang Wentian, and Hua Wu arrived on horseback, causing a stir and making the crowd give way. Zhou Shijie leaped up, using lightweight skill, stepping on heads as he crossed over to the front of the announcent board.
Wang Dezhong, Yang Wentian, and Hua Wu dismounted swiftly, walking quickly through the crowd, following behind. Zhou Shijie let out an "Ah," his gaze fixed on Li Xian’s portrait, finding it unbelievable and then focusing intently, his face showing expressions difficult to describe.
Wang Dezhong asked, "Brother Zhou, is this villain the so-called ’Flawless Flower,’ who has possibly captured many of our sect’s senior and junior sisters, and even elders?"
Zhou Shijie asked, "’Flawless Flower?’". Yang Wentian asked, "Brother Zhou, have you noticed any discrepancies?" Zhou Shijie was silent for a mont, then slightly smiled and said, "Indeed, there are discrepancies. It’s wrong, all wrong; this villain is not ’Flawless Flower.’
The disciples of the sword sects, wandering Jianghu individuals, ordinary people, and patrolling guards looked over. Zhou Shijie laughed and said, "This villain has a red mole between his brows and is quite handso. If these two points are accurate, then he is not ’Flawless Flower.’ His real na is ’Li Xian’!"
Yang Wentian asked, "Brother Zhou, do you know this person well?" Zhou Shijie laughed and said, "Of course, embarrassingly enough, this villain and I are sowhat from the sa region. I studied at the Qiong Heavenly Mansion Academy since childhood, and he is also from Qingning County of the Qiong Heavenly Mansion."
Wang Dezhong hurriedly asked, "Brother Zhou, if you say he is Li Xian, why would he use the alias ’Flawless Flower’? Is there a mistake, just resembling by chance? Brother Zhou, this matter concerns others’ reputation and must be approached with utmost caution."
Zhou Shijie felt displeased, threw his sleeve with a cold snort, and said indifferently, "If Brother Wang thinks my words are shallow and untrustworthy, then there’s no need for to waste my breath." He made a gesture to leave.
Wang Dezhong quickly apologized, saying, "Brother Zhou, it’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding." Yang Wentian said, "Brother Zhou, Brother Wang ans no such thing. Please explain in detail. If true, you will have great rit in capturing this villain! If Miss Nianjun can be saved, she will surely be grateful and see you in a new light!"
Zhou Shijie felt utterly delighted and said, "Alright. This villain’s original na is Li Xian; he is a person from the Qiong Heavenly Mansion. Despite his handso visage, his nature is extrely vile, known as ’Evil Captain.’ He was originally a Martial Captain in Qingning County, leveraging power to oppress the populace, exploiting and extorting them. Truly wicked to the core. With such a character, ending up in this situation does not surprise in the least."
He glanced at Wang Dezhong and added, "If any masters have doubts, you can investigate in the Prefecture City. The na ’Evil Captain’ is widely recognized. Although my luck may be slight, I do not speak randomly."
He spoke with such certainty that everyone believed him, responding with censure and curse. Zhou Shijie said, "This person once had a slight connection with a very formidable figure. However, with poor talent, he was sent away. I surmise that after committing such evils, he faced a severe blow and sought refuge with the Flower Cage Sect. The Flower Cage Sect, being a haven for filth and villainy, is the perfect place for such a rogue. In retrospect, it all makes sense."
Wang Dezhong thought quietly, "Brother Zhou’s words carry so unspoken resentnt but seem genuine, not false."
Zhou Shijie confidently said, "This villain is as cunning as a fox, exceptionally treacherous, but his skills are quite ordinary. I have exchanged blows with him and am several levels superior. If we et again, I am confident I can capture him alive."
Yang Wentian and Wang Dezhong exchanged a glance, feeling a subtle unease, but seeing Zhou Shijie’s high confidence, raising objections would damage their friendship. Li Xian, concealed among the crowd, found it amusing, thinking, "If we et again, I would truly like to test who is the more capable."
The crowd dispersed, and Li Xian sneaked back to the inn, frequently frowning. Now that his identity was exposed, the whereabouts of Wen Caishang were unknown, but given her strategic mind and martial arts skills, she should be safe. The disappearance of Gu Nianjun was especially perplexing, as neither Gu Nianjun nor Zhou Shijie attended the Dragon and Phoenix Banquet.
Burdened with these tangled worries, all threats and dangers seed directed at him alone. Li Xian drew the Cyan Sword and perford the ’Setting Sun Bloodsword,’ patterning with the ’Xunfeng Breath,’ pondering strategies to break the impasse. Soon, the na ’Li Xian’ spread throughout Flying Dragon City, as the gossip circulated in the streets and alleys.
Despite being cautiously discreet, Li Xian’s distinctive features, especially the red mole, made him hard to forget whenever it showed. Even the innkeeper, who once shared Snow Beast at with him, quickly reported to the governnt. Li Xian barely escaped one trap, only to fall into another: truly, waves follow upon waves.
Flying Dragon City was resolved to capture Li Xian first, showcasing its strength and boosting morale, while thoroughly investigating, leaving no Flower Thief unchecked. The Flying Feather Lieutenant ’Yang Xin Gun’ even boasted that Li Xian would be captured alive within three days.
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