Chapter 636: Chapter 347: Astonishing Talent, The Lady’s Pride, Heroes Throughout History, My Lord Alone
Lin Aoshan thought carefully and indeed found it to be true, so gladly accepted. Li Xian punished himself with a few drinks, and then drank and ate heartily with everyone, enjoying a harmonious time. Li Xian was very curious about the matters concerning the Celestial Patrol Bureau, and mentioned it intentionally and unintentionally.
Han Qingxiao said, "Brother Li is truly a rare talent. If I had the ability, I would definitely have brought you into the Celestial Patrol Bureau. Anything is better than the Flower Cage Sect." Qu Baitong said, "Ah? Brother Li is from the Flower Cage Sect? How is that possible?"
Lin Aoshan said, "The Flower Cage Sect mostly consists of thieves, but Xiaolizi is definitely different. Yes, Xiaolizi, you said there’s something hidden about this matter. How about elaborating on it?" Li Xian bitterly smiled and said, "Speaking of this matter, it’s quite convoluted. Since Ao Shan wants to hear it, I’ll speak plainly." He then explained how he entered the Flower Cage Sect, modifying some details, to the three of them.
Lin Aoshan, Qu Baitong, and Han Qingxiao all understood and said, "So that’s how it is." Although Li Xian had no intention of joining the Celestial Patrol Bureau, he was very curious about the political situation and forces, so he asked, "Right, how does one join the Celestial Patrol Bureau? I’m quite curious about this."
Han Qingxiao, with a composed demeanor, said slowly, "The Celestial Patrol Bureau, representing Heaven and patrolling the world. In the days of the Great Wu Dynasty, the position in the Celestial Patrol Bureau was hard to come by. You had to be the dragon among dragons or the phoenix among phoenixes. Although the political situation is chaotic now, and the nation is in decline, the Celestial Patrol Bureau is still not something trivial. There are only two main paths to enter the Celestial Patrol Bureau."
"Inheritance and recommendation. Both Ao Shan and I inherited our positions and hold the ’Celestial Commander’ title, which is a minor Celestial Official position. Even though the nation is in decline, when we travel across the land, we can still enjoy some influence and stay in official residences, although we cannot recommend others."
"Only the ’Celestial Officer’ level right above us has the power to recommend. My elder sister holds a position at the Celestial Officer level, but she is righteous and direct in personality, loathing evil. Knowing Brother Li’s origin from the Flower Cage Sect, she would definitely not coexist with you, let alone recommend you. She might even endanger your life."
Lin Aoshan said, "Ah, Old Han... you mean that person..." Han Qingxiao nodded and said, "I did not purposely mention this, but she is indeed my elder sister. Though only a few months older than me, she is many times stronger. Her skills and abilities are far beyond mine."
Li Xian asked, "I see. I have a carefree disposition. Even without the Flower Cage Sect identity, I might not get used to staying at the Celestial Patrol Bureau. By the way, the Flying Dragon City matter has concluded. How do you all plan to proceed?"
Talking about this matter, the three of them looked serious. Lin Aoshan said, "This issue is not easy to handle. If He Wentian’s affairs are discovered by the major families in the city, it will surely cause trouble. We have decided to escort him out of the city tonight, while Qu Baitong stays here to impersonate He Wentian and stabilizes the situation."
Li Xian thought to himself, "This strategy of ’Stealing Heaven and Changing Day’ is well-used. It punishes the evildoers and stabilizes the situation in the city. By the time the major families in the city notice, the situation will have already changed." He said regretfully, "If that’s the case, meeting today, we haven’t had a chance to talk in detail, and now we’re about to part ways. Flying Dragon City has many beautiful sceneries I still wanted to explore with you all to fully experience them!"
Lin Aoshan exclaimed, "Yes, there’s nothing we can do. The situation wasn’t clear before, so we acted cautiously, with no leisure to play around. Now that things are settled, we must leave due to urgent matters." Han Qingxiao clasped his fists and said, "Ao Shan and I wanted to take this opportunity to bid farewell to Brother Li. After this banquet, we will part ways."
Lin Aoshan sighed longingly, "Parting in Jianghu, who knows when we will meet again. Alas."
Li Xian laughed and said, "We’ll meet again if fate allows." Lin Aoshan casually said, "What if fate doesn’t allow?" Li Xian casually replied, "If I really miss you, I can always come looking for you. However, by then, I won’t be able to afford good wine and delicious food like today."
Lin Aoshan’s mood slightly improved and laughed, "If you come looking for me, of course I’ll treat you. I’m only worried that you, the Flower Thief, might go capturing young maidens and get caught and beaten to death."
"In that case, you might as well capture me. At least it would count as an achievement."
Li Xian said, "Alright, that’s what you planned." Lin Aoshan purposely said fiercely, "Naturally, I specialize in catching little thieves like you. When you see me in the future, make sure to call me ’Aunt’ three times. Otherwise, I’ll call someone to catch you."
Li Xian laughed and said, "What a coincidence, I specialize in catching beautiful women like you. I wonder who’s more skilled."
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The three had their fill of food and drink. Qu Baitong was the first to bid farewell. Lin Aoshan and Han Qingxiao gathered the Yamen Runners and escorted He Wentian in the prison carriage out of the city. Li Xian watched them go, feeling wistful: "Jianghu is just about separation and reunions, gatherings and dispersals. Although the city remains bustling, seeing the Sword Sect leave and Ao Shan depart inevitably adds a touch of desolation. I somewhat miss the lively scenes of the past.’
He wandered the city, his Ear and Eye Sensing picking up that the madam had already awoken, yet was unable to move an inch, struggling in vain and restless, attempting to use objects to wear down the rope, but the Green Silkworm Rope was incredibly resilient, how could she not know. Eventually giving up resistance, utterly bored to the point of seething anger. Amidst the hum, it seemed like curses were aimed at Li Xian. Li Xian knew it was time to leave, treasuring this tranquil time. After picking up the necessary ingredients, he rode back to Snow Hidden Mountain.
He left the horse on the mountain path, hurrying back to Snow Lake. When he opened the carriage door, a wave of heat rushed at him, seeing the madam’s flushed face, damp with fragrant sweat. Originally, Li Xian feared that Wen Caishang would catch a cold, so he had added two handfuls of Yellow Jade aromatic charcoal before leaving. Today the weather warmed up, and the enclosed carriage became stifling instead.
Wen Caishang had layered bedding upon herself, unable to kick with her feet or grasp with her hands. So she remained covered, suffering the scorching heat.
Upon seeing Li Xian, Wen Caishang immediately glared fiercely, thinking: "This little scoundrel went out messing around early, leaving me to suffer and wait, drenched in sweat all over. Anyone who didn’t know might think you’re trying to cook me. When did you plug my mouth, causing me that nightmare. Absolutely unforgivable!" Li Xian immediately took out the Jade Nut, under the candlelight its green surface appeared even more lustrous.
Now able to speak, Wen Caishang had a trickle of crystal at the corner of her mouth, and after calming her breath, she gave him a sharp look, gritting her teeth and exclaimed: "Scoundrel boy!" Li Xian chuckled: "Don’t blame me, madam. I ran into He Wentian!"
Wen Caishang was dumbstruck, saying: "He Wentian, but what happened to him? If he discovered you, you’d be in danger. Quickly help me loosen these ties, I can protect you thoroughly." Li Xian said: "No rush, madam, why not take a guess."
Wen Caishang said: "If the Five Mountains Sword Alliance is intact, He Wentian’s defeat would be miserable indeed. Yet nothing seems to have happened in the city, there’s no troop movements, martial law, strategic defenses, or actions from the noble families. Thus, He Wentian’s matter hasn’t been leaked, the commoners and noble families are unaware. If my guess is correct, he must be secretly controlled." Saying this, her pretty face turned red, thinking of herself.
Li Xian praised: "Madam is keen, you are indeed right. When Flying Dragon City was chaotic, aside from the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and Flower Cage Sect, there were also figures from the Celestial Patrol Bureau. They suspected changes within Flying Dragon City, hence secretly investigating. Later, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance handed He Wentian over to the Celestial Patrol Bureau for handling."
Wen Caishang understood: "I had faintly guessed earlier, He Wentian may be plotting an uprising." Li Xian said: "Madam, your insights are valuable, please enlighten."
Wen Caishang gave him a resentful look, slowly saying: "He established a good reputation, made friends in Jianghu. Built Jieyou Tower, if not innately kind-hearted, then with grand ambitions... the most crucial point, in the early years of the Great Yu Dynasty, the nation’s fortunes waned, similar to the current Great Wu. Then, a distant city rose in power. This troubled Great Yu for a long time, if not swiftly resolved, countless others would imitate. The realm cannot settle, Great Yu would collapse in the blink of an eye. To resolve it quickly, the two places are far apart, deploying troops is costly, adding insult to injury. Moreover, that city is easy to defend but hard to attack, if not conquered swiftly, it’s just boosting their reputation, stuck in a dilemma. I suspect He Wentian aims to emulate such a person." She paused before continuing: "But speaking about it now, inevitably seems like hindsight. Without showing his fangs, it’s still just speculation."
Li Xian nestled into the bedding, embracing Wen Caishang, asking: "And then?" Wen Caishang smiled saying: "The Great Yu Dynasty at the time was already weakened, forced to send troops but failed to win decisively. The national strength plummeted, and seeing prospects, many factions seized territory and rose up, plunging the realm into chaos."
Li Xian said: "If the Great Yu hadn’t sent troops, perhaps it could have held out longer." Wen Caishang said: "In retrospect, you’re likely correct. But at that time, no one knew right from wrong." She said wistfully: "Just like in the past when I appointed you as Commander, I never imagined today. Ah... you mischievous boy, you’re troublesome the moment you’re back."
Li Xian laughed: "Thank you for favoring me, madam. I owe everything I have to your guidance, I will repay you wholeheartedly." Wen Caishang blushed with embarrassment, sighed: "I am indeed trapped by my own doing. And in return, this is what I get from you. You... you..." shy to speak further, she swallowed her words.
After informing Wen Caishang of everything in the city, Li Xian continued: "That Star-picking Bureau is indeed formidable, Qu Baitong disguised as He Wentian. I could hardly tell." Wen Caishang said: "The Great Wu’s Star-picking Bureau is indeed an extraordinarily mysterious force. If I’m correct, its predecessor should be the Star Palace."
Li Xian was taken aback, asked: "Star Palace?"
In the past, Pure Yang Scholar stored the "Essence Treasure: Heavenly Spirit" in the Star Palace.
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