Chapter 535: Chapter 321: The Birth of the Malignant Garment, Reversing Yin and Yang, Flower Cage Rising Star, Reputation Revived

Li Xian knew Wen Caishang’s habits well; searching with a purpose was not difficult. He approached quietly, waited for the right moment, and stole the Green Silkworm Rope. He hid it in his sleeve and pretended nothing happened. Xiaotuan didn’t notice either. After everyone finished their tasks, she led the way out of the pavilion. Li Xian blended among the people, successfully escaped, and walked out of the Fragrant Water Pavilion. Hearing the lively noises of the streets, he felt reborn, and amidst the joy, his feelings were complex.

Li Xian thought, "Escaping the pavilion was indeed an unexpected pleasure. The lady surely isn’t inside, or I would have been doomed. But I wonder why she hasn’t returned for so long. Well, since I’ve escaped, leaving immediately is the best choice. When my power grows stronger, I will settle the grudge of today’s encirclement." He walked half a mile further with the crowd, found a chance to turn into a small dark alley, placed a bamboo dustpan on the ground, swept away the accumulated snow, took out the servant, awakened him with Qi Movement, and slipped away.

The servant groggily woke up, only to feel the cold wind on his body. Startled, he became completely awake, shocked to find himself lying naked. His clothes were beside him. He quickly dressed, recalling the recent events, finding it hard to make sense of them. He could only think that some evil spirit had possessed him, too scared to speak up, hurriedly dressed, and left.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Li Xian quietly hid, making his way to the city gate, finding it tightly shut and well-guarded. Soldiers on the gate tower were sharp-eyed and fierce, surveying the citizens below. Li Xian found a bun shop and while buying buns, he asked, "Servant, when will the city gate open?"

The bun seller replied, "How would I know? Alas, with the gate closed, my business is bad."

Li Xian asked, "Why is it locked down? Are other gates open?" The bun seller said, "I vaguely heard something—it’s about catching a thief. This is no small matter; it’s the real deal. All entry and exit routes are sealed. But as for specifics... I’m just an ordinary citizen, how dare I investigate? If they think I’m an accomplice to the thief, wouldn’t that be terrible?"

Li Xian paid copper coins and bit into the warm bun. Following the crowd, he kept a low profile, checking the defenses at the city gate. The gate was about nine meters high, constructed with Black Profound Stone, extremely sturdy. Outside the walls, there was an outer city wall; if one forcibly breached the gate, they’d surely face enemies on all sides.

Furthermore, the soldiers were in full readiness, sturdy like a tiger and dragon, tall and mighty, each one extraordinary. They faintly formed a military formation, as solid as an iron wall. Among them, some standout figures, more imposing, their voices carrying thunderous sounds, at least "Chest Drum Thunder Sound" masters. There were countless archers, knife soldiers, shield soldiers...

Li Xian thought, "If I forcibly breached the gate, encountering this formation, the commotion would be too great, even if I escape the city gates, endless pursuit would follow." He pondered briefly, noticing an old man standing on the city wall, with white hair, long arms, and a slender body, resembling an old sword.

The old man suddenly turned his head and looked over. Li Xian swiftly hid, quietly dodging. After a moment, hearing no movement, he immediately escaped through the alley. Just now, that old man named "Xiao Wanjian," was the "Sword Casting Elder" of the Yangshan Sword Sect, leading their team.

Li Xian thought, "This old man is strong and should not be confronted directly. He stands here, sharp as a sword; if my guess is correct, he is surely a high expert of the Sword Sect. What an anomaly! How long have I been trapped that the city’s conditions have changed so dramatically?"

Li Xian walked a little further. Suddenly, he saw a group of swordsmen approaching, all dressed similarly, carrying large swords on their backs. The leader was in his thirties, had short hair neatly trimmed, and rough skin. His name was "Jiang Meng," a disciple of the Yangshan Sword Sect.

Jiang Meng passed by Li Xian without noticing. After he walked a bit further, he turned back to look, his brow furrowing. Finding it difficult to spot Li Xian, he set aside his suspicions for the moment and headed to the city wall to meet with Xiao Wanjian.

Xiao Wanjian asked, "Is there anything unusual in the city?" Jiang Meng replied, "Nothing unusual, but..." Xiao Wanjian said, "Speak of whatever it is."

Jiang Meng said, "Disciple possesses the [Transparent Sword Heart constitution], with a keen sense. Just now, passing by an ordinary man, my heart skipped, as if my throat were seized. I suspect this person is quite capable. If he is so capable, why disguise as a commoner? This raises a bit of suspicion."

Xiao Wanjian frowned and asked, "If you suspect him, why not pursue?" Jiang Meng answered, "Disciple only has suspicions, no evidence at all. This person may be hiding, but not necessarily a villain. If I pursue, wouldn’t I be offending?"

Xiao Wanjian scolded, "Rascal, pedantic! In extraordinary times, how can one care about others’ dignity? This thief must be unusual; just now, I sensed someone’s gaze, but couldn’t find his shadow. He must have hidden among the crowd, quietly sneaking away, seeing you before escaping."

"This person has extraordinary eyes, deep cunning, acts discreetly. If not for encountering your Transparent Sword Heart, he would have disappeared without a sound, and I might have thought it a misunderstanding. Where did you see him?"

Jiang Meng said, "In Wenjing Street. Shall disciple pursue immediately?" Xiao Wanjian said, "You stay and guard the gate, don’t let any crafty ones take the opportunity. I will pursue personally."

He placed his hands behind his back, displayed Lightweight Skill, shifting in midair at remarkable speed, quickly arriving at Wenjing Street. This street stretched seven miles, with hundreds of alleys, lined with two rows of buildings, crowded with people like weaving textiles. Hiding here, how could one be found?

Xiao Wanjian narrowed his eyes, scanning, but saw no suspicious thieves. Feeling regretful, missing by an inch means losing by a mile, he had to give up. Meanwhile, Li Xian walked away from the city gate, checked other city gates, all heavily guarded with Jianghu experts stationed.

Li Xian felt despair about escaping and thought, "If I hide like this, when Madam finds time, she’ll try to catch me again. Flying Dragon City is truly chaotic indeed. My immediate priority, having no place to go, is to first retrieve my Sinking River Sword."

He found the inn where he was staying and returned to his room. Seeing his belongings and clothes, all intact. The Sinking River Sword, placed at the bedside, was already covered in dust. Li Xian drew the sword from its scabbard; the edge was still sharp, though the blade had slight damage, its sharpness was not compromised.