Chapter 915 - 417: The Name of Broken Sword, the Lady Speaks Frankly—You Are Already Old, There Is No Peak in Martial Arts!

Chapter 915: Chapter 417: The Name of Broken Sword, the Lady Speaks Frankly—You Are Already Old, There Is No Peak in Martial Arts!

Li Xian and Wen Caishang have been separated since the icy lake on Snow Mountain, and it’s been over a year since they last met. He was first hunted as the Flower Thief, went through several trials, returned to the Water Altar, then encountered Zhao Ranran attacking the altar, hid beneath the lake for months, and later headed to Jade City...

He happened to meet Wen Caishang once more, but she vanished thereafter. His feelings toward Wen Caishang were a mix of fear and love. Should the opportunity arise, he would surely find a way to hear news of Madam Wen, eager to know her recent situation. Yet, someone of Wen Caishang’s caliber is not easily heard from.

Furthermore, little did he know the matters of Flying Dragon City had not yet concluded. Madam Wen and the Five Mountains Sword Alliance still had ties involved. Although he did not know the specifics, the guarded words of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance suggested that developments were likely unforeseen and profoundly entangled.

Thus, he listened intently.

Huang Axia spoke continuously for a long time, her mouth dry. After sipping some wine and eating a few beans and crispy meat, she glanced around, seeing that many were gathered nearby— Li Xian, Ding Heilang, and Fang Ming had all settled in the pavilion.

Feeling pleased, she thought: "Such a significant matter has been held within my heart for so long. Hehe, this gathering with sisters is the perfect time to discuss it. With more listeners, I’ll speak with even more zeal. But given that this matter involves Alliance secrets, discussing it privately is permissible; if passed on, it would be inappropriate."

Then she said, "This matter is confidential. I’m sharing it here, but you all must not spread it outside. Should the Five Mountains Sword Alliance find out, there’ll surely be repercussions."

Yao Yin patted her chest and said, "Go ahead, the Famous Doctor of our Miao Medical House would never casually divulge secrets, or the Miao Medical House wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate against them." Entering residences to practice medicine, hearing various secrets, be they major or minor, ugly or embarrassing, requires the utmost discretion as the foremost principle above medical skill.

Huang Axia nodded and said, "It’s said that the Five Mountains Sword Alliance ended in vain, wasting over two months without finding the Jade Dragon, which people speculate has fallen into the hands of that woman. But the matter is of great significance, so it’s still not rashly concluded. Thus, they returned to their sect for cautious deliberation."

"During the arrangements for the alliance of the Five Great Sword Sects, the five leading elders: Xiao Wanjian, Hu Yueyue, Duan Yixin, Wang Zongzheng, Hou Yuande had once fought with that woman, but the battle’s outcome was unknown. Presumably, they did not fare well. When the alliance met, these five elders were again ordered to thoroughly describe the situation at that time, estimate the woman’s abilities, and not conceal any details."

"As for this assembly... I do not know the specifics, only that afterward, several elders of the alliance were furiously angry, claiming, ’We, the dignified Five Mountains Sword Alliance, will not let a woman make such an uproar above us.’ And the five leading elders were likewise punished."

"My friend had difficulty uncovering the specifics, so I’ll move directly to the crucial point. After lengthy discussions, Li Mountain Sword Sect’s Ke Jianan was chosen as leader, with elders from each Sword Sect assisting, determined to find that woman."

Han Niannian frowned and said, "The Five Mountains Sword Alliance has always prided themselves on being righteous. Is this search for the woman an attempt to seize her treasure? If it’s to seize the treasure, it’s indeed inappropriate. The items in the tomb can be considered ownerless. Since the woman has already acquired them, albeit useful to the alliance, it’s unjust to use force."

Bai Caiwei said, "Desperate measures due to illness. The alliance’s actions may be understandable but very inappropriate."

Huang Axia nodded and said, "That’s indeed true. Therefore, the alliance plans to approach her with courtesy first. The idea is to locate this woman, negotiate purchase or exchange items, only after she agrees to settle old scores in a confrontation. Even in conflict, the alliance plans not to harm her in the slightest, aiming to only diminish her vigor and regain their dignity."

"Regarding the departure, the Five Mountains Sword Alliance prepared six treasured swords, including Li Mountain Sword Sect’s Swallowing Mist Sword, Yue Mountain Sword Sect’s Guan Cang Sword, Jiu Mountain Sword Sect’s House Guardian Sword, Li Mountain Sword Sect’s Fire Li Sword, Sun Mountain Sword Sect’s Duanfeng Sword, and Li Mountain Sword Sect’s Black Ancient Sword."

Yao Yin asked, "These six treasured swords are quite extraordinary, especially the Black Ancient Sword. Are they all offered to trade for the Jade Dragon with that woman?"

Huang Axia nodded and said, "Exactly. Additionally, there are numerous exquisite jewels and treasures, showing immense sincerity! The alliance’s attitude is strange, needing someone but unwilling to lower their face. While reluctant to seize treasure forcibly, they seek to restore their image and it is very conflicting."

Li Xian, upon hearing, thought: "It seems that even Huang Axia may have overlooked something. The Swallowing Mist Sword, Guan Cang Sword, House Guardian Sword, Fire Li Sword, and Duanfeng Sword were originally lost to Madam Wen in a sword wager by the alliance elders. The Five Mountains Sword Alliance intends to fulfill that past promise, considering since they’ll meet, they might as well gift these five swords as an end to that affair. The Black Ancient Sword and other jewels are truly the barter for the Jade Dragon."

He then thought, "But one point was indeed correct. The Five Mountains Sword Alliance is exceedingly conflicted. Although they claim to be righteous, to put it harshly, they are hypocritically pretentious..."

Ding Heilang pursued further, "Miss Axia, what happened next?"

Huang Axia said, "The Five Mountains Sword Alliance, united and spent considerable effort to locate that woman. Ke Jianan approached her with courtesy, offering numerous jewels and famed swords sealed in a red box, delivering them to her residence."

"The woman said, ’I wondered lately which gentleman had made such a stir searching for me, turns out it’s the Five Mountains Sword Alliance. Respected elders, please enter my home and have a seat; allow me to serve tea for you.’ Her voice is so gentle, precisely soothing that unknowingly, the swordsmen’s guard dropped somewhat. It’s important to understand that prior to departing, the sword sects bore quite a hostility towards her, it seemed many disciples from various sword sects had perished by her hand. Though past events, these old grudges persist, definitely not a matter simply spoken over. Yet during this interaction, something was inherently different."