Chapter 256: Chapter 246: Countless Commands, Majestic Might, Lady Subservient, Killing Momentum Surging

The wind whistled through the river, the sky was gloomy.

Wen Caishang’s ten fingers were slender, carefully massaging. Her mind was in a daze; she had never in her life massaged a man’s shoulders. Li Xian said, “A bit lighter.”

After a while, he added, “A bit heavier.” He was extremely picky, reminiscent of when Li Xian served Wen Caishang at Yihetang Manor.

Wen Caishang lightly pressed her red lips together, her face held a hint of anomaly. Li Xian said seriously, “If you don’t serve comfortably, I won’t let you eat.” He thought, “Take this opportunity to enjoy it more, and let the madam taste this feeling.” Unrestrained.

“Enough!”

A Jianghu guest some distance away slammed the table and stood up angrily, “Boy, don’t be ungrateful!”

“Miss, this lad doesn’t know how to cherish beauty, bullying you like this. Don’t worry, I can’t stand such evildoers.”

“If you are willing, please… come eat at our table.”

Wen Caishang’s face held a smile, her charming demeanor captivated everyone until they were bewildered. Li Xian cupped his hands and said, “Esteemed heroes, acting righteously is indeed commendable. But this is a personal matter between the two of us, whether it’s a conflict or peace, it has nothing to do with you. This misunderstanding ends here; let it settle, and all will be well!”

When he spoke, he showed full elegance. Li Xian pulled Wen Caishang closer, intimately interacting, their lips slightly touched. He said, “We are truly in love, it’s not that I treat her badly, but rather she prefers it this way, esteemed heroes, you can rest assured.”

Then they sat down again. Wen Caishang heard the four words “prefers it this way,” knowing that Li Xian was secretly causing trouble. She was angry for a moment but didn’t argue.

The brawny man looked disgruntled, and said again, “Young lady, don’t be afraid, if there are threats, please speak directly. We will uphold justice for you!”

Li Xian impatiently said, “Brother, you are meddling too much.”

The brawny man said, “Hmph! The Jianghu is dangerous, if you commit any crimes, I, Zuo Yilong, will never spare you.”

The other Jianghu guests echoed his words. They were Jianghu guests who had gained quite a reputation around the Wei Hu River area.

Li Xian was unwilling to cause more trouble. Wen Caishang, weighing the benefits, said as well, “Whatever between Li Lang and I, why should it be up for your judgments. I’m the one who prefers serving him.”

The other heroes looked at each other, feeling very angry. It turned out that “acting righteously” was false, and “moved by attraction” was true. Zuo Yilong reluctantly sat down, drank a few sips of wine, suppressing his anger.

He thought, “I, Zuo Yilong, cannot swallow this humiliation. This guy is so arrogant, I need to find a reason to deal with this lad.”

Suddenly he stood up and said, “Lad! You look familiar, aren’t you a notorious figure on the Red List?”

At that time, information was scarce, and many self-proclaimed “heroes” of the Jianghu would find a reason to fight, justifying it with a casual excuse. If they won, it was naturally “acting on behalf of heavenly justice.” Li Xian coldly said, “I’ve tolerated you for too long, how dare you falsely accuse me, then die for it!”

He picked up two pieces of beef and flicked them out. They shot straight into Zuo Yilong’s mouth, hitting his throat and breaking his vocal cords. Then he flicked his chopsticks, piercing through his wrists, and nailed him to the wall.

Li Xian’s display of skill had already shocked the bystanders. Among the ship passengers at the food shop, there were not many “Food Essence” practitioners. No one dared to speak further, all retreated outside the hall.

The two resumed drinking and savoring the delicacies. Li Xian said, “We just wait for the ship to come, then we follow the water route. It’s complicated, no matter how many people they have, it’s all in vain. Madam, please serve me.”

Wen Caishang gently said, “Alright, I’ll serve you well.” She was gentle as water and again massaged Li Xian’s shoulders. Wen Caishang thought, “I’m entangled with misfortune; can this truly go smoothly?” She had a slight worry and said, “If there is an accident, do you have a retreat plan?”

Li Xian said, “How can there be perfect certainty in this world? It depends on the size of the accident… Does madam feel that this journey will not go smoothly?” Wen Caishang nodded, “I’m continuously uneasy. Maybe… it will rain.”

The sky was gloomy, seeming to threaten thunder. A storm was brewing…

Li Xian laughed, “Don’t overthink it, madam, help me pound my legs.” Wen Caishang chuckled, “You, you’ve gotten used to ordering me around. Does it make you happier to command me like this?”

But she still complied.

By evening, the sky was darkening, and with a loud clap of thunder, heavy rain began to pour down. Li Xian thought, “The dark clouds have gathered for days, finally they fall, and the rain is truly heavy!”

The rain splashed densely. The ship passengers traveling from the south to the north were waiting in the dining hall, rainwater dripping from the eaves. The mist over the river had a unique scenic charm.

Doors and windows were all closed. The sky was already dim, the shop owner lit candles and fixed them on the dining tables.

Quietly waiting for the ship.

As the hour of the tiger (3-5 AM) was approaching, a large ship sailed near, docking beside the quay. The waiting passengers opened umbrellas and boarded the ship. Wen Caishang pinched her long skirt, her clothes already changed into cloth garments. Being splashed with water, she was naturally wet. After walking a few steps, both her boots and skirt hem were soiled.

Upon boarding the ferry, she felt slightly at ease. The ship rocked, quite cramped, but how could escaping be comfortable, thus not asking for much. Around two quarters into the hour of the tiger, the rain steadied, though showing no signs of decreasing, it no longer hindered the ship. So they raised the anchor and set the course, heading down the river.

Li Xian murmured, “Merging into the river, from now on the world is vast, where will they search?” He slightly exhaled. Suddenly hearing noise on the deck…

Li Xian ventured in the rain onto the deck. More than ten passengers had gathered, all gazing at the riverbank. On one section of the riverbank, tiger roars resounded… dozens, hundreds, thousands… up to tens of thousands of Tiger Beasts gathered.

Upon seeing the sight, Li Xian quickly called Wen Caishang to observe. Both felt curious, “Tiger Beasts are the kings of the forest, known for not allowing two tigers on one mountain. How is it that so many fierce tigers have gathered here?”

Hundreds of Tiger Beasts roared together, thunder exploded in succession. Suddenly someone said, “They’re coming!”

Then countless Tiger Beasts, with a splash, leapt into the river. The “tiger waves” rolled, this sight was truly unprecedented.

As soon as some Tiger Beasts entered the river, they howled a few times, then were swept by the river waves, dragged underwater, carried far away by the current.

The rain was heavy, the wind fierce, the waves surged muddy. This scene was indeed no less than “a dragon crossing the water”! Following the tigers rushing into the river, looking around, the river was filled with Tiger Beasts.

“Not good, quickly steer back!” shouted a constable on the ship. The ship gave a shudder, continuously rocking…

It was torn by a few Tiger Beasts lurking at the bottom, blindly thrashing and scratching, breaking through the bottom of the ship! As the river waves surged, hundreds of Tiger Beasts were pushed alongside the ship.

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The tigers saw a lifeline and desperately swam toward the boat. Their sharp claws hooked onto the boat’s side, climbing aboard. Li Xian furrowed his brows, drew his bow, and shot arrows, knocking down several tiger beasts.

But alas, the army of tigers was like the boundless river water. Across the shore, the endless tiger beasts surged into the river, their momentum overwhelming, beyond the power of humans to stop.

Li Xian sighed, “There are so many wonders in this world, and equally many dangers!”

The helmsman panicked to the extreme and had no choice but to turn back and dock. After Li Xian and Wen Caishang disembarked, they immediately asked the manager, “Given this situation, when can the boat sail again?”

The manager said, “You’re quite unlucky! The boat is damaged and won’t be able to sail for a few days.”

Li Xian and Wen Caishang exchanged a glance. Wen Caishang gently sighed and could only accept it. Li Xian comforted her, “Let’s walk along the river and find another shipyard.”

Wen Caishang said, “It seems we have no other choice.” The shipyard refused to refund them, so Li Xian didn’t bother arguing, and walked out overnight in the rain.

They cut two lotus leaves and stuck close together as they walked. Li Xian lamented, “When you’re unlucky, you can choke even drinking water!”

In truth…the way of heaven is fair. The Earth Radiance hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years and is incredibly precious. If you obtain it openly and honorably, misfortune won’t cling to you. Seeking Earth Radiance damages one’s heavenly fortune.

Many obstacles…as they say, challenges are bound to be many. Just as it is, you can see the great gains Wen Caishang has achieved. The rain lessened, but continued to drizzle on, sticky and wet, likely to last a while.

The next day dawned.

From the river came cries…seeing Tiger Luo Sect and Xiangluo Sect riding boats, salvaging tiger corpses from the river. Thousands, tens of thousands. Each haul with the iron net brings several tiger corpses.

If a tiger beast still showed a sign of life, Tiger Luo Sect rejoiced greatly and fed it “Tiger Saliva Green Blood Dew”, retaining its vitality and invigorating its heart. If it survived for three days, it transformed into a “Flipping River Tiger”, massive in body, flipping the river waves, very fierce and formidable.

If the tiger beast was already dead, they would strip it of its skin and bones…to be widely used, refining medicine, making leather, crafting tools, concocting pills…a single tiger beast could bring considerable profit.

Tiger Luo Sect’s “Tiger Saliva Green Blood Pill”, why is it so effective in healing heart trauma and preserving vitality? It is due to the timing, location, event, and scene. If the pill’s effect deviates, all Flipping River Tigers would become Sinking River Tigers.

Wen Caishang said, “To establish a sect, a stable industry is needed. Last night at Tiger Jump River, countless silver and gold flowed into the river. Now, silver sinks temporarily while gold floats. They pan for gold amidst the big waves, returning loaded.”

Tens of thousands of drowned tiger beasts mostly sank into the river. After several days, the tiger corpses would bloat and float on the water’s surface. Then…the residents of surrounding towns would enter the river to salvage the corpses for money.

The world is lively and bustling, all for profit…Li Xian saw more and suddenly felt, “It’s no wonder people value profit greatly, I look around, who doesn’t value profit? I also value profit, but in life, it can’t just be about profit.”

Li Xian asked, “Why does Xiangluo Sect also collect tiger corpses?”

Wen Caishang said, “Xiangluo Sect can also sell the tiger corpses for money. Moreover…if they pick a living tiger, they would immediately kill it to prevent Tiger Luo Sect from gaining another Flipping River Tiger. The fight between the two sects is endless for a hundred generations!”

Another shipyard was passed. Inquiry only revealed that due to Tiger Luo Sect and Xiangluo Sect salvaging corpses in the river, the shipyards to avoid trouble had mostly suspended operations.

In this situation, Li Xian and Wen Caishang’s waterway plans were greatly delayed. Li Xian murmured in concern, “Waiting more days…even if Su Qiuyu and the others were foolish, they would have found us! The situation now is truly unfavorable!”

Li Xian forced himself to remain calm, continuing along the river. After walking for another day or so, visiting several shipyards, he received the same answer each time.

On the third day.

Li Xian had nothing more to gain and now faced a choice. To continue along the river or decide to change course.

Li Xian wanted to purchase a map and reorganize the route. The two walked for half a day and saw a large city. As they entered quietly, they suddenly sensed a strangeness in the city wanderings; there were many martial arts practitioners, some people observed their surroundings intentionally or unintentionally.

Li Xian and Wen Caishang tried to conceal themselves, acting very low-key, but were still glanced at a few times, fortunately not noticed. Li Xian grew alert, realizing their pursuers had come close!

With a twist of their figures, they hid in an alley. They also saw in front of an inn, several sword-carrying guests renting rooms.

Wen Caishang said gravely, “They are from the Wuji Saber Sect.”

“Shiluo Village!”

On the distant street, several standing corpses.

Yellow Sand Sect, Wuji Saber Sect, Taixin Sect, Sword Rain Tower, Shiluo Village…completely formed an encirclement.

In the surrounding cities, their figures could be seen everywhere, the containment tight, pressure intense, the momentum vicious, the situation urgent like never before.

Li Xian observed secretly, the red list was posted in every street and alley, and people were discussing the two of them throughout the city.

The call to pursue “Red List” was issued, specially to eliminate Li Xian and Wen Caishang. The number of Jianghu guests is vast.

No way up to heaven, no door down to earth!

…

…

(Some readers hope I write faster.

I try to as fast as possible, but can’t go any faster.

Each Chapter has a lot of plot. The Tiger Jump River scene, Tiger Luo Sect’s operations, the pursuit and escape, emotional changes…simplifying or cutting these would affect your reading experience, but for me, writing it would seem dull.

There’s also the problem of dragging out the plot, this part does have more detail. But it’s crucial for the emotional shift between Li Xian and Wen Caishang, so it’s being slowly refined.)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep