Chapter 645: Chapter 350: Shijie Loses an Arm, Nianjun’s Shock, Li Xian Unmasked—Or Is He the Pale-faced One?
Beside Gu Nianjun’s boat, there stood another person with an elegant demeanor, proper appearance, dressed in white, holding a jade fan; it was the well-rounded talent "Zhou Shijie." When Li Xian saw Gu Nianjun’s look of disdain, he assumed she despised his identity as a flower thief. He thought to himself, "As long as I am true to myself, what does it matter how you see me?"
Having broken free from the encirclement, his escape route was clear, and he was confident in his ability to flee. He calmly cupped his fist and said, "Miss Gu, long time no see. To meet again in such a scene truly makes one feel nostalgic!"
Gu Nianjun frowned deeply, "I never expected... you turned into a flower thief. Aiding the wicked; how despicable! Your current self is truly... truly... repulsive."
Li Xian had always disliked Gu Nianjun’s haughty lectures. He deliberately laughed and said, "What’s wrong with being a flower thief? Carefree, unrestrained. Miss Gu, why don’t you become a flower thief yourself?"
Gu Nianjun cursed, "Absolutely outrageous. Xiaofan having a brother like you is a lifelong stain. It was indeed right to ask you to stay away from Xiaofan. You are unworthy to be his brother."
Zhou Shijie paused and looked carefully at Li Xian, comparing him closely in his mind and indeed found some resemblance, thinking, "No wonder that Li Xiaofan is also despised; they share the same lineage, tainted with filthy blood." He said sternly, "Nianjun, in my opinion, like brother, like brother; that Li Xiaofan is no good either."
Gu Nianjun pointed at Li Xian and said, "Xiaofan doesn’t have such a brother. You can blame him, but don’t bring Xiaofan into it."
Zhou Shijie said, "Nianjun... I think that Li Xiaofan also has a thieving nature. I’m not speaking nonsense." With just a slight glance from Gu Nianjun, Zhou Shijie immediately fell silent.
Zhou Shijie then advised, "This person is deeply involved with the Flower Cage Sect; I see he is beyond saving, hard to persuade to return. This encounter must not be a missed opportunity to let a tiger return to the mountain."
Gu Nianjun thought, "Zhou Shijie speaks rightly. When I encountered Li Xian in Prefecture City, his ruthless actions already showed his wicked nature. Back then, I judged he was not worth befriending. He might affect Xiaofan’s future. Meeting him again today proves the judgment true; in the future, if Xiaofan wants to achieve great things, his brother, the flower thief, will tarnish his reputation and damage his good name. Isn’t it very..."
She said, "Li Xian, if you have any conscience, think of Xiaofan; you should surrender now. Accept punishment to absolve your sins."
Li Xian observed the surroundings and noticed the current subtly carrying him away, the distance increasing as they spoke; this was advantageous to him, so he nonchalantly said, "Accept punishment? Whose punishment? Is it the Great Wu Dynasty’s law? Can this law punish you now? Xiaofan has his own path to follow; why should I intervene?"
Gu Nianjun frowned and said, "If we violate the law, we should also be punished. I am advising you so much for Xiaofan’s sake."
"You should know that the name ’flower thief’ condemns you to be hunted by everyone. Xiaofan has great aspirations, yet before he sets out, his reputation has already suffered. How can he stand in the future?"
Li Xian thought, "Every word you say is for Xiaofan, yet leaves no room for me. Hmph, I, Li Xian, am not so conventional that such a few words will make me feel guilty!" Sneering, he said, "Fine, you’re reminding me. Xiaofan is my brother; anyone who dares underestimate him, not allowing him to stand, I will kill them!"
Li Xian sneered, "Speaking of the Great Wu law, your Gu family should be more subjected to punishment. Your Gu family was favored by the heavens, with several members in the court under the Celestial Official surname Gu. But your Gu family was not necessarily loyal to the Dynasty. You’ve committed no small number of deceitful acts. Your crime of rebellion and disloyalty surely outweighs my womanizing deeds!"
With the matters concluded in Flying Dragon City, Wen Caishang was captured and tied up. During those days, the two spent much time together; Li Xian found great joy in exploring her depths, and he couldn’t bear to part. He took the opportunity to flip through the "book" and discuss worldly matters. Li Xian, having limited knowledge, mostly listened to Wen Caishang’s fluent speech. Wen Caishang’s knowledge was profound, her insight sharp, often pinpointing the essentials when discussing matters. When she unintentionally spoke of the "Gu Family," her words were full of mockery; she had always disliked the Gu Family and was even less polite.
Gu Nianjun’s complexion turned pale and blue; she wanted to argue but, hearing Li Xian’s sharp words, her confidence waned, and she took half a step back. She then said coldly and firmly, "I am not here to argue with you. I said for Xiaofan’s sake, I advise you to surrender. Cleanse your sins openly according to the law."
Zhou Shijie immediately said, "This person’s crimes are horrific; according to the law, he also needs to be executed as a public warning."
Li Xian said, "What if I do not?" Gu Nianjun replied, "You have no other path; your sins remain, and the multitude of evils harms both yourself and Xiaofan. I will absolutely not allow this."
Li Xian asked, "What are you going to do?" Gu Nianjun said, "I will personally capture you."
Zhou Shijie thought, "During the encounter at the tomb, I was defeated in an instant. But it was truly because I couldn’t use my martial arts back then. Now there’s no external interference; how could I not surpass him? Hmph, those Sword Sect women must have been enchanted, claiming he could match a Third Realm Martial Artist. The last time I met him, except for his tricky archery, how did he outperform me? How could I not seize such an opportunity to restore my confidence and repay all grievances?" In a deep voice he said, "Little flower thief, I’ll take this on. Nianjun, I’ll be back shortly! Watch me capture him alive!"
He leaped, treading the giant waves, raising his palm towards Li Xian. Holding deep-seated prejudice against Li Xian, narrow-minded, he couldn’t shake his grudge, and his arrogance was greatly affected. At the moment, he only beheld past glories, not realizing the present situation.
By nature, he wasn’t lacking in talent, yet his innate tendencies led him to become ordinary. As he executed the "Wave-Treading Skill," the wind from his palm whipped through, causing the waves to surge and roll violently. The Jianghu guests around them shouted in approval, showering him with praise.
