Chapter 911 - 416: After the Burial, the Lady’s Situation, Sword Alliance’s Search, Secret Rumors

Chapter 911: Chapter 416: After the Burial, the Lady’s Situation, Sword Alliance’s Search, Secret Rumors

When Bai Caiwei talked about Candle Sect, her eyes shone brightly. Naturally tranquil, she delighted in poetry and books, her thoughts agile and meticulous, holding a crucial position in the "Bai Clan of Jade City." By chance, she learned of the once-secret "Candle Sect."

There were also "Demon Sect," "God Sect," "Evil Sect,"... many such names. Subduing sun and moon, dominating myriad sects. Wherever the demon’s power passed, all things withered. Daoxuan Mountain, a venerable sect of the righteous path, even had to retreat when Candle Sect reigned and wreaked havoc.

She also knew the current sordid Flower Cage Sect was once a branch of the Candle Sect. This made her greatly curious, yet she knew the rekindling of the Candle Sect’s flame might not be a good thing. But from fragments of ancient texts, she learned of the Candle Sect’s past glory: once it emerged, it struck awe across all directions and lands. Such a fierce, formidable flame, terrifying momentum, and invincible demeanor... she couldn’t help but feel a yearning in her heart.

The four women drank and chatted leisurely. They imitated the ways of the Jianghu, eating braised meat, munching on fava beans, sipping fragrant wine, pretending to be in a heroic gathering of Jianghu. Han Niannian said, "But I’ve heard that the Flower Cage Sect is unlike ordinary sects; it has no fixed premises, the altar is just a place for communication, and its disciples often wander and commit offenses. After the Water Altar was destroyed, although the Flower Thieves stopped for a while, many altar-less Flower Thieves quickly started committing crimes again or joined other altars."

Bai Caiwei said, "Therefore, I advised Yao Ni to be careful. That Jade Girl breaking the Water Altar was certainly a great achievement. But it also made the Flower Thieves like hornets from a broken nest, stinging and biting people indiscriminately."

Huang A-xia laughed and said, "I’m curious what Yao Ni’s expression would be if she were captured, considering her pretty face."

Yao Yin haughtily said, "That’s just as well. With my martial arts, I’ve been looking for a place to put it to use. If they come for me, I’ll kill them one by one, showcasing my skills." She wielded a treasure sword, swinging it in the air, pretending to be fierce.

Huang A-xia said, "Their strength lies in deceit and the arrays. If you fall for their tricks carelessly, regret will come too late." Han Niannian laughed, "Indeed, I’ve heard the binding techniques of the Flower Cage Sect are quite unique. Once ensnared, it’s very difficult to escape regardless of how strong your abilities are or how high your cultivation is. They have ways to subdue you."

Bai Caiwei said, "This is true. I know of one technique called the ’Hundreds of Flowers Blooming Method.’ The ropes used by the Flower Cage Sect are made from the roots and stems of flowers and plants. Once bound by this method, the more you struggle, the more the stems come alive, gradually sprouting petals. Hence the name ’Hundreds of Flowers Blooming.’ It’s said that the juxtaposition of person and flowers is quite exquisite."

Huang A-xia, Han Niannian, and Yao Yin all spat lightly, cursing, "These Flower Thieves don’t follow the right path, always thinking of such things."

Li Xian tended the stove, brewing a medicinal soup, thinking to himself, "There are even more tricks, but unfortunately, I was too eager to learn martial arts back then, so I only learned the basics. Though these tricks aren’t exactly respectable, they’re still key techniques of the Flower Cage Sect. Having more skills never hurts." He held a wooden fan, gently fanning the stove.

Bai Caiwei and her companions were so caught up in their conversation they completely forgot about the three others around Li Xian. Bai Caiwei continued, "Do you truly think they just bind the hands and feet and stop there?"

Yao Yin blushed and said, "Then... then what else might they do?" Bai Caiwei said, "When encountering seasoned villains, they orchestrate the ropes with more subtlety." She lifted her finger, pointing to Yao Yin’s ribs, "First twist around here, then trail along this path..."

She vividly described it, the binding passing through vital martial arts points and body acupoints, places needing close protection, prompting Yao Yin, upon imagining it, to flush with embarrassment, thinking, "Such Flower Thieves are truly vile. Good families’ girls, if captured like this, where would they put their dignity?"

Feeling her mouth dry and tongue parched, she drank several mouthfuls of wine and water, her neck bristling with goosebumps. Han Niannian kept saying, "This ’Hundreds of Flowers Blooming Method’ is indeed... indeed quite deliberate. In future Jianghu travels, if enemies fall into my hands, I shall use this method to capture them."

Bai Caiwei laughed, "This is only one of many capturing techniques. You girls are so inexperienced, there’s a lot you don’t know yet. There are also ’Flipping Heaven and Earth Method,’ ’Horizontal Waist Severing Method,’ ’Reverie Heart Turning Method,’ ’Nine-Nines Unmoving Method’..."

Yao Yin, Huang A-xia, and Han Niannian, both shivering and curious, realized that in the Jianghu sphere, traveling in Jianghu, pursuing vengeance and retribution, and walking alone with a sword, certainly existed. However, there also were complex scenarios where it’s inconvenient to kill the enemy at once, necessitating special techniques to subdue the enemy’s moves and abilities.

There is also the martial art of "Pressure Point" technique. While powerful, it might not always be reliable. Hence, above that, there are capturing and restraining techniques. Yao Yin, Huang A-xia, and Han Niannian’s factions all had their methods of capture and restraint. Enumerated carefully, they’re various, adapting method to time, place, situation, and scenery to immobilize and subdue enemies, making them obediently comply.

The three girls hadn’t paid attention to this before, but now, amid their boudoir chat, they happened to bring it up, sparking their interest and arousing great curiosity.

They all asked, "What is the ’Flipping Heaven and Earth Method’?"

Bai Caiwei pointed with her finger, painting in the air with wine, the liquid suspended midair, forming a human shape, demonstrating martial arts that were rather exquisite. She said, "In this world, people stand with their feet on the ground and their head in the sky; that is to be upright and upstanding. Conversely, with feet up and head down, it flips heaven and earth. Thus it has an elegant name but is essentially the art of inversion."

With a simple sweep of her hand, the person of wine was upside down, and she said, "This method causes one’s blood to block the sanjiao, qi-blood to flow in reverse, and is further enhanced by binding with flower ropes, tying hand and foot, locking vital points, and paired with special medicinals. Once there was a Third Realm Martial Artist whose martial arts, skills, and techniques were all restrained, unable to move, at the mercy of others."

The three girls exchanged a look, each considering how they could possibly break free from this predicament if they were caught in it. Their cultivation levels and talents were similar, but their experiences and martial arts styles differed. Yao Yin was confident she could unravel it, relaxing with a sigh in her heart. Huang A-xia, however, found it daunting, believing herself to be in dire straits if trapped. Han Niannian’s eyes were filled with terror, feeling hopeless, realizing she couldn’t deploy her skills and considered it very unlikely she could escape.