Chapter 665: Chapter 355: Liuli’s Provocation, Arrogance Punished, Raising the Cauldron Alone, Calculating Shrewdly
In days past, after killing Hao Qingshe’s disciple, Zhao Lei, Li Xian saved a woman with the surname Huang. Observing that she still had a breath left, she was exceptionally strong-willed, which evoked compassion in him. He decided to take her back and was cared for attentively by Nangong Liuli.
At first, her injuries were severe, but later gradually stabilized, without threatening her life. However, her limbs were all broken, her eyes and ears were lost, and she could not speak. She could only lie in bed, passing her days idly, pitifully helpless.
Li Xian and Nangong Liuli walked to the side room. Nangong Liuli glared at Li Xian in embarrassment, thinking to herself, "At least I managed to temporarily placate this fellow." She took out a fire stick and lit the candles around. In the dim candlelight, the woman with the surname Huang was lying in bed, covered with quilts, her hair thick, breathing evenly.
Nangong Liuli sat gently on the edge of the bed, speaking softly, "Brother Li, this girl is truly the most pitiable person under the heavens."
The two had talked yesterday, and Li Xian told his real name. Nangong Liuli shot him an angry glance, annoyed for some time because of it. Yet, with Li Xian’s silver-tongued eloquence, adept at winning women’s hearts, a few soft words could easily dissipate her frustration.
Li Xian sighed, "Indeed, in the past Zhao Lei took pleasure in humiliating others. Her spirit was strange; fortunately, she has been killed. In hindsight, letting her die so easily is regrettable." Moving forward, Li Xian saw that the woman with the surname Huang had white cloth wrapped around her eyes, her appearance tragic, with numerous small holes around her body, caused by venomous insects biting and drilling.
Suddenly, her whole body started to tremble, and foul substances flowed out from the holes. Nangong Liuli raised her hand to press her chest, using a martial art derived from the "Avoid Jade Sutra." Several light and gentle palm seals fell, each press containing numerous transformations. The trembling gradually subsided, and the woman made "uh-uh" sounds, expressing gratitude.
Nangong Liuli said, "Her body was bitten by venomous insects, with poison seeping deep into her marrow. We couldn’t remove it all back then, and she has suffered daily ever since. When the poison acts, she feels both itching and pain, pain reaching the bones, itching seeping into deep flesh, life worse than death. Luckily, the Avoid Jade Sutra from my Nangong family has the effect of dispelling and curing poison. Using this martial principle, I’ve been helping her expel the poison, gradually recovering. Now, the poison in her body is about eighty percent resolved. Her condition is improving daily; she can now sleep soundly and eat porridge and rice. But a full recovery is still challenging, beyond our capabilities."
Li Xian said, "Saving her at the time was a moment of compassion on my part. It seems fate didn’t want her to die here."
Nangong Liuli said, "Her speech is temporarily impaired but may improve. She drinks flower dew daily, combined with the ’Rejuvenating Immortal Sound’ for stimulation. The injury to her speech organs may heal. Brother Li, there’s a pot of lotus seed detoxifying porridge on the stove at the back. It’s an ancestral detoxifying secret recipe from Taohua Town, learned while managing the bee farm with the fellows. This island is neither too large nor too small, with plentiful fish, no lack of food and drink, but also many poisonous beasts: poisonous flowers, bees, snakes... Over time, a set of detoxifying folk remedies was developed."
Li Xian immediately went to the stove and brought back a bowl of lotus seed detoxifying porridge. It had a light green color, was fragrant and sweet. Nangong Liuli added a bit of crushed sugar to enhance the flavor. She took the porridge and teased him lightly, "So obedient."
Nangong Liuli scooped up the porridge, gently blowing away the heat, a chest drum thunder sound lightly vibrating. The woman with the surname Huang, with her tongue and ears impaired, communicated using the "chest drum thunder sound." As she responded, the two understood each other without words. Nangong Liuli fed the porridge to her mouth.
The woman opened her mouth to eat, nodding slightly toward Nangong Liuli. Nangong Liuli’s actions were slow and gentle, considerately tender. Li Xian thought, "Sister Liuli is both beautiful and graceful, also kind. In my life, although I’ve met many vicious, wicked, evil, and crafty people, I’ve also encountered many good, kind, wonderful people. I don’t know how to express it." He watched quietly.
When the porridge was nearly finished, Nangong Liuli said, "She’s about to sleep."
Li Xian smiled, "That’s naturally very good. But Sister Liuli... I have one thing I don’t understand." Nangong Liuli asked, "What is it?"
Li Xian said, "This girl’s gradual recovery and escape from the abyss of suffering makes me genuinely happy. But you mentioned earlier that her condition has changed. Is this merely a delaying tactic?"
Nangong Liuli thought inwardly, "Trouble! The situation was urgent earlier, if I hadn’t done so, how could things be well now? I... I merely gave a little provocation, and this guy really won’t let it go. Hmph, he acts like he’s disciplining me, making me suffer. I... I’m not necessarily afraid of you." She hardened her tone and said, "I’m considering your best interest. Just wait until I drain you thoroughly later, and see just how arrogant you can be after that."
Li Xian said, "Then we shouldn’t disturb this lady’s rest. Let’s go outside and discuss." Nangong Liuli bit her silvery teeth, stubbornly saying, "Fine! As if I’m afraid of you!" She left the room, gently closing the door behind.
Suddenly, the sound of "hu-hu" arose.
Nangong Liuli felt her wrist tighten, already caught by the other’s strong grip. She hadn’t expected such a quick move, cursing inwardly, "Crafty boy, attacking the moment I turned away!" She turned around, using a move called "Return of the Swallow to its Nest," a basic move meant for escaping dire situations with lightness and grace. It’s extremely useful during close combat. She moved as gracefully as a swallow, her figure beautifully fluid. In the midst of her turn, she twisted her waist, applied delicate strength to her wrist, smoothly slipping away.
She saw a red mark on her wrist, feeling Li Xian’s strength, frowned, and noticed the narrow corridor, realizing close combat was unfavorable. She practiced her lightweight skill, leaping through the long corridor. Li Xian, having anticipated this, took three large strides, moving openly and closely, reaching out to grab her again, successfully catching Nangong Liuli’s right ankle. In mid-air, Nangong Liuli’s light force was significant, easily leaping several feet, but suddenly restrained, her ascent hindered as the opposing forces balanced each other, keeping her suspended in the air.
Nangong Liuli shouted coquettishly, "Flower thief, you dare challenge me, try this!" Her left leg swept horizontally, Li Xian leaned back, skillfully avoiding her, feeling a fragrant breeze sweep by, mixed with the scent of flowers, animal leather, earth, her body scent, and sweat. This kick further revealed many captivating sights.
