Chapter 573: Chapter 331: Tens of Thousands of Corpse Soldiers, Wentian’s Trump Card, Chunxia and Li Xian Exposed by Accident (Part 2)

In a concealed pit, the soldiers set up camp, hidden flawlessly. The leading officer is robust and methodical, arranging the camp in an orderly fashion. The camp is well-manned with soldiers, keeping guard day and night without any breaks, demonstrating great steadfastness.

But with them in the open and us hidden, there’s no worry about lack of strategy. Li Xian, with keen eyesight, observes the number, the distribution of soldiers, and their shifts. He sees the camp has over three hundred men, all rigorously trained and adept in several arrays.

If we engage in direct combat, it would inevitably let them exploit their advantages fully. Li Xian immediately devises a plan, dispersing the six units in all directions, prepared with poisoned arrows and bows. Li Xian, along with Mu Hongchou, Lin Aoshan, and others, first sneak into the enemy camp to create chaos, then feign escape. At that moment, the ambush disciples would suddenly shoot arrows, catching the enemy off guard.

Executing the plan, the soldiers are caught off guard, indeed thrown into confusion, unable to form their arrays, with their leader already killed. Li Xian seizes the chaos, quickly taking down several key figures, showcasing his might. As the soldiers begin to react and gradually form their battle array, Li Xian escapes elsewhere, leading them hastily to chase. The women, with poisoned arrows, conceal snake venom, making full use of it, striking down the soldiers one by one, neutralizing their advantage, fully displaying their own strength. Unceasingly venting their pent-up anger.

The stronghold of the camp crumbles completely, corpses scattered everywhere. Li Xian orders the disciples to throw the bodies into a deep pit, erasing all traces. He then emits white mist from his mouth, eradicating any traces of blood and the smell of blood in the ground.

Thus, the soldiers disappear without a trace, leaving no evidence. Li Xian executes everything seamlessly, prompting the women to secretly learn and gain much from it.

The camp holds abundant resources, with vegetables, meat, rice, vinegar, and salt plentiful, sufficient for days of consumption. Li Xian observes it all, continually pondering: "With such ample reserves, they must be planning some major move? Or is their treatment so generous, that they have a banquet every day? That would be reasonable too; if I were stationed here in darkness without end, I certainly wouldn’t rest easy. Well... speculating on this is pointless."

Using the pots, they build a fire, letting the women cook the meat and steam rice, resulting in a lavish meal, which they enjoy heartily. That night, they sleep using the enemy’s camp, feeling invigorated and extremely comfortable.

Li Xian pondered deeply: "Since we’re here, seeing this camp, there must be a path leading to other places. We fear encountering other stationed soldiers, leading to open conflict. From my estimate, another day’s journey should reach the Black Hall." Having sorted out the priorities, he intended to rest early.

In the middle of the night, Zhao Chunxia suddenly came to visit, and with a heavy tone said, "Li Xian, I discovered something! I wish... to consult you a bit." Li Xian put on his shoes and said, "Please, go ahead."

Zhao Chunxia said, "To my shame, though I am much older than you, I have always been taken care of by you, pouring you tea and washing your feet, far from repaying you adequately. Now my wounds have slightly recovered, but the bell sound affects us, rendering us like Clay Embryos."

Li Xian laughed and said, "I heard from Elder Yang that Senior Chunxia’s calligraphy is quite excellent. If there’s time in the future, you could repay by teaching me calligraphy." Zhao Chunxia said, "That sounds wonderful; if you’re interested, I can teach you anytime."

Zhao Chunxia got serious:

"Returning to the main issue, I was captured for a little while, and had my blood drawn three times, stored in jade bottles. The female elders had their blood drawn once. While scavenging for materials earlier, I caught a faint scent of blood here. I suspect that the past blood extraction was covertly routed through this place."

Li Xian asked, "What do they use the blood for?" Zhao Chunxia replied, "I’m curious as well, so... I wish to follow the blood trail, exploring the mystery within. The disciples rarely get restful sleep; let’s allow them some rest."

Li Xian deliberately joked, "Senior Chunxia thinks of letting them rest, but not about letting me rest?" Zhao Chunxia apologized, "I’m truly sorry, but after considering it from all angles, it seems only you can help. Following the blood trail, whatever lies ahead is hard to predict, and taking many people might cause complications. Even though you are young, you handle things with mature insight. You are kind and easy-going, so I presume you... you would help me."

"Although it would inconvenience you, I... I don’t have anything to offer in return right now, but once this is over, I’ll find a way to repay your kindness."

Li Xian laughed, "Though you say there’s nothing to offer." Zhao Chunxia inquired, "Oh?" Li Xian mischievously said, "Lately, I’ve been having troubling dreams and hardly sleeping soundly. It seems I lack a proper pillow. If Senior Chunxia would allow me to rest my head on your knees, I’d sleep sweetly, naturally feeling rejuvenated, and can assist with any big task."

Zhao Chunxia exclaimed "Ah" in surprise, knowing Li Xian occasionally teases boldly, she thought men and women shouldn’t have physical contact, such a posture being rather improper. Yet, introspecting, she secretly wished, though embarrassed, she said, "You care for many sisters’ and disciples’ safety. If you’re not well, the consequences are severe. If comforting you during sleep is I should, then it’s not impossible."

Li Xian was momentarily stunned, secretly thinking, "Oh no, the joke went too far." Honestly, he said, "Senior Chunxia, please don’t take offense. I was merely speaking frivolously to relieve boredom. Let’s quickly follow the blood trail and return swiftly."

Zhao Chunxia watched him exit the tent, her embarrassment dissipated, a smile appeared on her face, thinking, "This lad is truly charming, teasing others restlessly with his floral words. Yet, if actions were real, he himself would be the first to back out. Does he take me for a young maiden, thinking a few teases would truly make me shy?"

She followed him briskly, her skirt swishing fragrance through the air. She diligently practiced Health Care Skill·Spring Observation Treasure Manual, her body like a vibrant spring day, teeming with vitality as things seemed to revive around her. Her wounds healed swiftly, with back and ankle injuries fully recovered.

The Yue Mountain Sword Sect has a martial arts skill "Scent Tracking Nose," with keen sense of smell and excellent tracking abilities. Zhao Chunxia saw the women in sound sleep, with enemies vanquished and women patrolling between the watchtowers. Arrangements were thorough and secure, without apparent danger.

Li Xian left a note to inform someone of their whereabouts. He and Zhao Chunxia reached a secret tent, already empty underneath. The women’s blood qualities had long been transported away, and Zhao Chunxia wielding a whisk swirled it around, lightly sniffing for scent, and closing her eyes to sense, said, "Indeed this is the place, my judgment wasn’t wrong."