Chapter 643: Chapter 349: Nianjun Meets, Flower Thief Li Xian—Was Your Identity Really Exposed?
Passing through a green barrier, a broad open ground appeared before them. Scattered across were dozens of disciples. In the distance stood a wooden shed, where Elder Tang Wenshu of the Flower Cage Sect was seated.
Tang Wenshu, upon seeing Li Xian, immediately walked over quickly and shouted, "Brother Li, who would have thought we’d meet again. Seeing you well brings great relief!" Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "Elder Tang! Thank you for your concern. Flying Dragon City was extremely perilous; it is fortunate enough to have escaped unscathed."
Tang Wenshu said, "Hahaha, surviving a great disaster means good fortune awaits. Both of us are blessed under the protection of the Candle Sect; small troubles aren’t worth mentioning. Hahaha, speaking of Brother Li, you’re at the peak of your brilliance, with boundless prospects ahead! Come, please follow me into the shed to wait quietly."
He waved his sleeve. His confidants immediately understood, adding an extra wooden stool. Tang Wenshu poured a cup of tea and handed it over, saying, "Brother Li is a dragon among men; ever since our first meeting, I knew you were extraordinary. Indeed, time reveals a person’s heart, and distance shows a horse’s strength. But... saying it like this isn’t quite right. Brother Li should be one who transforms into a dragon when encountering storms, your fame certainly echoes like thunder."
Li Xian gently sipped the tea. The tea’s fragrance was mild and lacked a return aroma; it was ordinary tea leaves. He didn’t hold much regard for it, leisurely sipping a few sips, and said, "Those are mere misconceptions spread by fellow sect members. Currently, I’m just a peripheral disciple. As for those rumors, true or false, doesn’t Elder Tang know? The female disciples of the Sword Sect weren’t captured by me."
Tang Wenshu laughed and said, "Good name or bad name, it’s all fame. We of the Flower Cage Sect come from humble beginnings, engaging in low-class dealings. Can we still maintain a spotless reputation? Those rumors don’t need to be true or false; as long as they enhance your fame, it’s not a bad thing."
Li Xian said, "Enhancing fame is fine; I’m just afraid there’ll be more people seeking to kill me." Tang Wenshu said, "That’s true, but Brother Li is exceptionally alert; you’ll handle it well."
Tang Wenshu laughed and said, "If I guess right, upon returning to the sect, you will certainly be promoted to Elder. Then, you’ll marry a beautiful wife, establish a family, consume the Essence Treasure, and aim for the peak. Hahaha." He stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
He placed great importance on appearance. His beard was managed to be smooth and neat, and the manner in which he stroked it was very pleasing to the eye, imparting a rather ethereal demeanor.
Li Xian said, "Hahaha, that’s far less than Elder Tang, who has already married a beautiful wife, established a family, consumed the Essence Treasure. I, as a junior, still have a long way to cultivate." Tang Wenshu said, "Ah! Speaking like that puts me in a rough spot, I know my abilities, my cultivation isn’t low, but my methods are limited. Over the years, I’ve consumed and arranged Essence Treasures, operated businesses... While I’ve practiced Martial Arts, it’s been a long time since I’ve truly used them. Come, have some tea!"
The two shared a hearty laugh, exchanged pleasantries for a while, full of flattery and courtesy. Li Xian bluntly asked, "So it seems this gathering was organized by Elder Tang? What happened to Elder Tang and Elder Ye after the collapse of Jieyou Tower?"
Tang Wenshu was startled; back in the days of Flying Dragon City lockdown, Li Xian, Tang Wenshu, and Ye Cheng stealthily ventured into Jieyou Tower for exploration. They intended to act separately and explore the mysteries within the tower. Unexpectedly, they were caught in the collapse, and the plan went awry. Li Xian ventured deep underground, experiencing many entanglements and had no time to ponder their fates, thus inquiring directly upon meeting here.
Tang Wenshu shook his head and said, "It’s not that. At that time, Flying Dragon City was under martial law, and the city was strictly guarded, determined to exterminate the Flower Cage Sect. Our disciples were in danger, helpless and anxious. At first, some disciples surrendered and were lucky to save their lives, but later on, even those who surrendered had to endure severe punishment and torture. Few were able to withstand it."
"You, I, and Ye Cheng explored the Jieyou Tower together. The tower suddenly collapsed; Ye Cheng and I escaped in a panic, escaping without being crushed by the tower. We saw a dark cave beneath the tower. Ye Cheng and I concluded that the girls were in the cave. Just when we were about to go down and investigate, soldiers of the city surrounded us. The Five Great Sword Sects all gathered beside the cave for discussion."
"Appearing then would have been dangerous. Besides, due to the appearance of the huge cave, the city’s strict lockdown started to show loopholes. Several disciples seized the opportunity and, with remarkable luck, managed to escape the city. But some were identified and killed on the spot."
"At that time, there were even Jianghu guests, claiming to heroically rid the people of harm, searching and eliminating the Flower Cage everywhere, with the situation remaining perilous."
"At that time, Elder Ye Cheng said, ’The collapse of Jieyou Tower, there are hidden mysteries inside. Guessing that He Wentian is far from innocent. But our Flower Cage Sect should have the sense not to meddle with mysterious affairs. Taking this opportunity to depart is best, but moving in groups is disadvantageous. It’s better to split up and escape separately. Whosoever escapes, it’s their own ability. Once out of the Flower Cage Sect, we can find a way to regroup.’ All of us elders felt helpless. This venture was meant to fish in troubled waters, but backfired. But our lives were at stake; after discussing, we all fled separately."
"Our Flower Cage Sect scattered as a result. After I escaped successfully, fearing pursuit, I kept a low profile for a while, not revealing a trace of my whereabouts. Until recently, the commotion subsided. Then, I heard news of the Flower Cage Sect gathering, so I came early."
Tang Wenshu explained everything clearly, then inquired about Li Xian’s situation. Li Xian briefly, yet sufficiently harmlessly, recounted the events in the cave. Once both parties understood the overall situation, Li Xian asked, "In this way, who issued the summons for this gathering?"
Tang Wenshu said, "I suspect it was convened by an elder. It should be someone who first discovered this mysterious place and then found a way to pass on the message. It might very well be Ye Cheng."
Li Xian said oddly, "I think not." Tang Wenshu asked, "Why not?"
Li Xian said, "If an elder convened the meeting, why weren’t they here in advance to wait? This is unreasonable." Tang Wenshu, hearing this, felt a sense of unease as well, and said, "But the Flower Cage Sect gathering code requires an elder to know. If not an elder, who could calmly spread the news for the Flower Cage Sect disciples to receive the code?"
