Chapter 538: Chapter 322: The Lady Vanished, the True Name Is None Other Than Li Xian! Target of All Hostility (Part 2)

It turns out this was a huge misunderstanding. That day, while Li Xian was preparing to attend the banquet, in order to have a backup plan, he ordered Jin Yi, Huo Er, Tu San, Shui Si, and Mu Wu of the Five Elements Enclosure Array to search for and assemble with the Flower Cage Sect. In reality, he intended to secretly use the Flower Cage Sect to rescue himself. However, Li Xian was captured by Wen Caishang, making it difficult for him to send out any messages.

Without any sense of the outside world, he spent all day with the Dual Swords Unite, concealing his sword back in its sheath. Jin Yi, Huo Er, and others indeed found Ye Cheng and the group. Not long after gathering, they heard that a major event had occurred in the city, with many women from various Five Elements Sword Sect members disappearing inexplicably.

Ye Cheng and the others were immediately suspicious of their fellow sect members and quickly communicated via letters to inquire about the truth. All the replies stated ignorance, at which point Jin Yi, Huo Er, and others thought, "If it wasn’t the elders, could it be Brother Hua? As soon as he left us, he went ahead and did this major thing. The timing is just too coincidental."

Thus they began discussing Hua, not at fault. Ye Cheng, An Weicheng, Tang Wenshu... Even though these elders were superior to Li Xian by a slight margin, they were all eroded by indulgence in drink and pleasures, making them possibly less capable than Li Xian. All of them felt Li Xian was extraordinary, and might truly have executed a cunning plan to capture and abduct the women of various sects.

There were hidden rumors within the Flower Cage Sect. Ye Cheng, An Weicheng, Tang Wenshu and others convened the elders to discuss this matter. They tried to notify Li Xian, which led to this scene. Li Xian explained the situation clearly, and the elders looked at each other, all filled with shock and doubt.

Ye Cheng said, "No fault, this really wasn’t your doing? If it was you, we wouldn’t blame you. Just release those women, and we can take advantage of the chaos to escape and prioritize our survival. Don’t lose something big for something small, don’t risk your life here."

Li Xian smiled wryly: "I came here precisely to ask about this matter. I thought it was the fellow elders who captured the women of various sects."

Ye Cheng shook his head: "How could we have such capabilities? I haven’t wielded weapons for a long time, relying more on numbers and refined formations, capturing solitary women is barely possible. Once the enemies grow in number, we must retreat for our own safety."

An Weicheng said, "Indeed, we came here initially intending to fish in troubled waters. We are hiding in the city, waiting for the right opportunity. The time hadn’t yet come when this unexpected event occurred."

Li Xian asked: "It seems there’s more than meets the eye to this case. Further investigation is needed. Elders, the situation is dangerous, please act cautiously."

Tang Wenshu said: "Fortunately, we are experienced, adept at hiding our traces and concealing our movements, thus avoiding exposure."

Li Xian thought: "With the situation reaching this point, I am truly beset from both sides. Wherever I turn, I can’t clear up my involvement. Lately, by chance, I’ve obtained several Essence Treasures, my luck has been quite favorable. Now, misfortune follows closely, as if accompanying everything."

He said: "Not necessarily, I have heard that a disciple from the Flower Cage Sect was captured. The names of the elders were divulged."

Everyone looked at each other, pausing in the discussion. Ye Cheng calmly said: "A mere list of names is negligible. This matter is bizarre and unpredictable, with no clear lead. Elders, you must conduct yourselves with dignity. Set aside the clandestine flower-fetching and flower-cultivating activities for now."

Li Xian reached out to touch, holding several strands of long hair in his palm. Raising his hand, he tossed it to the elders, saying: "No fault’s hair is extraordinary, roots can form upon touching the ground, conveying messages through them. Elders, if there are any situations, you may utilize this to inform No fault of the circumstances."

Ye Cheng exclaimed: "Such ability, such ability! I recall in the Martial Arts Second Realm, the fourth feature ’dust settles’ is when hair upon touching the ground can take root. Could it be this feature of yours is unique?"

Li Xian smiled without speaking. The elders carefully stored the strands of hair, exchanged glances and then said in unison: "No fault, as we just discussed, it seems although you are young, your abilities are not shallow. We are decades older than you, and our cultivation realms may be higher, yet possibly not surpassing you. Given this special trait, it should be fully utilized. Why not... entrust you with coordination?"

Li Xian was taken aback. Ye Cheng laughed: "No fault, you have already joined the Candle Sect. Solely as a Flower Cage Sect disciple, coordinating many elders and disciples is indeed limited. But as you are now a Candle Sect disciple, it is different."

Li Xian inwardly muttered: "I only wish to ensure my well-being, return to the Water Altar, take Sister Liuli and leave, breaking away from all these entanglements. Yet... given current circumstances, simply departing without a trace seems unrealistic. Taking an active role in planning might present a single thread of Vitality." He then said: "This kid is apprehensive, cannot claim to coordinate. However, should the elders have instructions, sending me a message via the hair strands suffices."

The elders nodded and chuckled lightly. Each departed their own way, while Li Xian returned to the inn, utterly confused. He carefully reviewed the day’s events. Hua, without fault, having encounters with the Five Great Sword Sects, the White-faced Red Bow known throughout the city, coupled with the attention of Wen Caishang.

Li Xian had an exceedingly handsome appearance, speculating that it wouldn’t take long for a wanted notice to appear. Surrounded by dangers, in deep waters and scorching fires. These circumstances are hard to articulate. Li Xian forced himself to stay calm and paced back and forth, currently lacking a good strategy, needing to first clarify the situation before seeking changes.

The elders of the Flower Cage Sect lacked the ability to lead decisively. Years of indulgence in drink and pleasures had long sapped their drive, focused on pleasure and getting by, unfit for significant responsibilities, hence placing their hopes on Li Xian for coordination. All elders assumed identities as merchants, discreetly concealing themselves in various professions, thus far revealing no flaws.

Listening quietly to the investigation, secretly probing into the matter. Indeed, gradually there was progress, revealing that the women all vanished simultaneously. On the day the Five Swords convened to discuss forming an alliance. Many Jianghu itinerants, aristocratic families, and even City Lord He Wentian attended, witnessing the grand occasion. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

There was Yang Mountain Sword Sect’s "Sword Casting Elder Xiao Wanjian," Jiu Mountain Sword Sect’s "Sword Upright Elder Hou Yuande," Hu Mountain Sword Sect’s "Stabilizing Sword Elder Hu Yueyue," Yueshan Sword Sect’s "Passing Sword Elder Wang Zongzheng," and Li Mountain Sword Sect’s "Enforcing Elder Duan Yixin."

The leading elders of each sect gathered, a rare spectacle in Jianghu, the atmosphere exceptionally harmonious. The five elders swore an oath of blood to unite efforts. Jieyou Tower held this grand event, City Lord He ignited fireworks bamboos, lighting the city as bright as day that night.

Li Xian, trapped like a silkworm cocoon, remained completely oblivious. After the Five Swords alliance concluded, the sects took this opportunity to deepen their camaraderie and organized a sparring banquet, allowing younger generations to showcase their might and prowess. Teens, those in their twenties or thirties... all stood out prominently, what a lively scene.