Chapter 606: Chapter 339: Leaving the Dragon’s Lair, Ear-Twisting and Groom-Grabbing, Madam’s Weakness, Visitors Arrive

The bustle of Flying Dragon City remained unchanged, with the people in the streets living and working in peace, carriages and horses streaming along, and the sounds of shouting, hawking, rushing, and arguing filling the ears. The atmosphere was thick with the smell of smoke.

Li Xian couldn’t help but think, "Why is Flying Dragon City unaffected? I wonder what the situation is between the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and He Wentian. Oh well, I can barely protect myself now, and have no time to worry about others. Madam is quite fierce this time, let’s try to find some topics to talk about." He said, "Madam, what do you think about the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and He Wentian, what exactly is going on?"

Wen Caishang sneered coldly, "You still have the leisure to care about others." Li Xian said, "I’m not really concerned, it’s just... I’m afraid Flying Dragon City is unstable, it’s not good for us to stay here long, we’d better hurry back to the manor."

Wen Caishang said, "I see right through you. If you really wanted to return to the manor, you’d still be in the cocoon." Having said that, she grew angrier, and the Power in her hand increased.

Li Xian said, "I was concerned about you, Madam, that’s why I went to find you." Wen Caishang said, "Say any more nonsense and I’ll twist your other ear too."

Li Xian wisely kept his mouth shut. Wen Caishang shook her head slightly, thinking, "To be entangled with this little rascal, this brat, who knows if it’s a blessing or a curse."

Back at the Fragrant Water Pavilion, the maid Xiaotuan pushed open the side door. She saw Wen Caishang with an angry expression, yet lively and graceful, and couldn’t help but be curious. Seeing Li Xian with one ear red and swollen and the other still being twisted by Wen Caishang, she was even more surprised and took a step back, saying, "Ah! Weren’t you in the cocoon?"

Wen Caishang said, "He ran away long ago." Xiaotuan said in horror, "Madam, I’m so... so sorry, I... I didn’t know at all." Wen Caishang said, "You can’t be blamed for this, it’s all this kid’s cunning." She added some more force with her fingers.

Xiaotuan breathed a big sigh of relief and said, "Madam, I’ll go boil some water and instruct the dining hall to prepare a meal. You haven’t returned for a long time, you must be tired, please go in and rest!"

Wen Caishang said to Li Xian, "Look how well-behaved Xiaotuan is and then look at you." She wasn’t referring to "boiling water" and "preparing meals," but rather to Xiaotuan waiting at the Fragrant Water Pavilion despite Wen Caishang’s absence for over ten days.

Wen Caishang flicked her sleeve, and the side door closed heavily. The Fragrant Water Pavilion was vibrant like spring, with the occasional snowflake adding a touch of spring-winter charm. The courtyard scene was orderly and exquisite, tended daily by Xiaotuan’s people. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

They walked through a bed of flowers. Li Xian’s ears were finally released, escaping the predicament. His ears were burning and red, so he grabbed some snow to cool them, feeling a rush of cold that masked the pain. Wen Caishang’s simple pinch and twist were actually employing the "Spring Cutting Hand" Martial Arts. Even with Li Xian using the ’Golden Light Technique’, he couldn’t escape at all. Even though she let go, the martial arts transformation still lingered, and the injury would linger for quite a while. Wen Caishang chose a stone pavilion to sit down in, Xiaotuan brought tea, and she leisurely sipped it. After a while, she said, "Let me take a look."

She examined Li Xian’s ear injuries and now felt a slight pang of heartache. She poured two drops of "Qionghua Healing Oil" into her palm and gently rubbed Li Xian’s ears, dispersing the martial arts transformation, quickly healing them completely.

Li Xian asked, "You’re not mad at me anymore, Madam?" Wen Caishang sighed, "I’m just annoyed with you." Li Xian said, "Madam, let me rub your legs and massage your feet, if you’re still angry, we’ll talk about it afterwards."

Wen Caishang thought, "This boy has got me figured out. Rubbing my legs is fine, but every time you massage my feet, you surely tickle me a few times on purpose. I’m very sensitive to tickling. When you hold my feet, how can I be angry with you? You escape the punishment every time, but this time I won’t let you use your crafty tricks!"

Just when she was about to refuse, she suddenly said "Ah" as Li Xian had already helped her remove her boots and took off her silk socks, holding her feet in his hands. He applied the "Cloud Rubbing Eight Techniques" massage method, activating the acupuncture points on the soles of the feet.

The soles were slightly damp. Previously stepping into the "cave," the water flow was rapid, and the ground was wet. The water inevitably seeped into her boots. Wen Caishang was of the [Perfect Appearance], possessing superior senses, Qi Power, longevity, stamina, martial arts performance, etc., compared to others, the sweat scent was very light. But after running in the cave for a long time, with no time to bathe or wash clothes, her feet felt slightly sore, mixed with a faint body fragrance.

Wen Caishang was about to speak and scold him, but felt Li Xian’s hand strength increase, pressing and kneading the "Du Yin Acupoint" on her foot. The word "you" had just left her mouth when she couldn’t help but swallow the rest of the words. After a while, she realized Li Xian’s intent and scolded sternly, "Little bastard...", yet the word "little" had just left her lips when Li Xian, reading the situation, began massaging the Yongquan Acupoint.

This is a major acupoint in Martial Arts, referring to the spring bubbling from the ground. The spring water emerges from the earth, and many martial arts displays and Inner Qi manipulations need to go through the Yongquan Acupoint. This acupoint connects to the kidney meridian, which can nourish the kidney and consolidate the essence, regulating the entire body.

Wen Caishang savored the tea carefully, her toes curled, brows frowning and stretching, the anger indeed dissipating by half. After a while, she thought, "Always letting this boy be crafty, this time I must make him suffer a little." She hesitated for a moment, holding back her anger, said sternly, "You..."

Then felt the Neiting acupoint on the foot being massaged and kneaded. Her feet were already tired, having walked in the cave for days, on winding and uneven roads. They often practiced swordplay with Li Xian, which was very exhausting. With the current relaxation, she naturally enjoyed it immensely.

Wen Caishang let out a long breath, glaring at Li Xian viciously, thinking, "Never mind, never mind, let this boy be crafty for a moment longer. Once the foot massage is done, I’ll properly punish him." Enjoying the peace in the meantime.

In a joyful state of mind, she fell asleep lightly, eyelids heavy with drowsiness. Her sleep was extremely light; as soon as Li Xian made any rash movement, she would immediately detect it. Li Xian massaged her feet, thinking: "I barely avoided a disaster, I have a slight understanding of Madam’s weaknesses. But next time she seeks trouble, she won’t let me touch her feet. This temporary measure can’t last long, I must come up with another plan."

After massaging for two hours, the sky darkened, and night fell. Wen Caishang saw Li Xian serving attentively, and her anger indeed dissipated considerably. She couldn’t muster the intent to punish him for the time being; even though she knew Li Xian was cunning and deceitful, she could only let him be for now. Pretending to be angry, she pinched his ear and said, "I’ll let you off today."

Li Xian said, "Madam, we just escaped from the Nine Orifice Dragon Heart Acupoint. I don’t know the situation in the city; what are your plans next?" Wen Caishang said, "There’s no point staying here long, we should find a way to relocate the city’s treasures."

Li Xian asked, "If He Wentian tries to interfere, how should we handle it?"

Wen Caishang said, "Dare I return to the city, I’m certainly not afraid of him." She added, "You don’t need to worry about these matters. I’m confident in my actions."

Li Xian said, "Oh, Madam, there’s one more thing." Wen Caishang thought to herself, "This troublesome boy, what tricks does he intend now?" She asked indifferently, "State your business directly."

Li Xian said, "Are the silkworm cocoons still in the side pavilion? Where should I sleep tonight?"

Wen Caishang thought: "Having experienced this several times, it’s not wise to underestimate this lad. Today he massaged my feet; I knew he was deliberately being cunning, yet I still fell for his tactics. If I venture to practice swordplay with him together, it will be even harder to deal with him." She laughed and said, "In that case, sleep beside me then."

"Beside my bed is a snow beast fur blanket; take a quilt and sleep in the fur blanket. I’ve been having nightmares lately; having you nearby might give me some peace."

Li Xian washed and changed clothes, lying in the snow fur blanket for a peaceful sleep. This place was the third floor of the Fragrant Water Pavilion; looking up he could see the windowsill, beyond which was the bright moon. The gentle breeze was warm, mixed with strands of winter chill. A furnace was set in the room, burning fragrant charcoal. It was very warm, emitting a faint fragrance.

Wen Caishang lay sideways asleep, her long hair draped casually, she said lightly, "You’d better sleep early, tomorrow I won’t be so forgiving. You need to tell me how you escaped from the Eight Extremes Seal."

Li Xian said helplessly, "Alright... okay." Wen Caishang said, "Hmph, tomorrow I want to see what kind of ability you have to conceal. You’ve become quite capable – with the Ghostly Demonic Gun, Pure Gang Qi Clothing, Dual Appearance, Heavy Pupil Appearance, Perfect Appearance... truly endowed by nature."

She said casually, "Might the characteristics of impure clothing also be like the Dual Appearance, wearing two clothes on one body?"

Li Xian wiped cold sweat, pretending to sleep deeply, not daring to respond. Wen Caishang watched him for a moment, then closed her eyes lightly to sleep.

...

...

Next day.

Xiaotuan suddenly came seeking an audience. Li Xian helped Wen Caishang change clothes and comb her hair, then opened the door to see Xiaotuan. Xiaotuan hurriedly said, "Madam, something bad has happened, something bad has happened, many people have come outside."

Li Xian expected no peace, and asked, "Who’s come?" Xiaotuan shook her head, her two pigtails swaying slightly, and said, "I’m not sure, I don’t recognize them, but I’ve seen them before. There are old, young, few, women, quite a number."

Wen Caishang said with composure, "Since they’re visiting, they’re guests. Let them in and have them sit, tell them I’m grooming and dressing, and have them wait a bit longer." She tugged Li Xian’s sleeve, pointing to several boxes of precious rouge in front of the mirror stand, and said, "Mr. Li La, guests came suddenly today, help me apply the rouge."

Li Xian helped her put on makeup, adorned her jade visage, and fitted hair accessories. Madam Wen turned elegantly to the mirror, feeling very satisfied. With Li Xian’s support, she went to meet the guests.

(ps: At the start of the month, asking for monthly votes. If it can be on the monthly vote list, even just a bit more exposure would be good...)