Chapter 644: Chapter 349: Nianjun’s Encounter, Flower Thief Li Xian—Is It Truly You, Identity Exposed?

Li Xian furrowed his brows and said, "I remember Elder An Weicheng; he has already betrayed us. If he intends to leak information, it will be different."

As they were talking, a disciple came happily to report: "Elder Tang, I’ve seen many ships in the distance. They must be disciples of the Flower Cage Sect! We can regroup and fear no more of those righteous pursuers."

Tang Wenshu ran to the shore, gazing into the distance, indeed seeing dense black dots afar, with many ships approaching. His heart tightened as he ran around the island, noticing that the newcomers had formed a siege.

He now understood Li Xian’s prediction was correct; this situation was indeed a trap. He also noted the surrounding ships slowly closing in, scattering iron hook nets along the way. The ships contained a group of Jianghu Guests, many armed with knives, guns, and bows.

The sound of "boom boom" shook the air. Several Jianghu Guests emitted the "Thunder Sound from the Chest," flaunting their power recklessly. The disciples sensed something unusual, hearing the thunder shake and almost trembling in fear, their legs going soft. They all looked at Tang Wenshu.

Tang Wenshu stroked his beard in a hurried manner; despite his deep cultivation, he was uncertain in crisis, his expression flustered, feeling utterly at a loss. Suddenly, he thought of Li Xian and immediately looked up. The disciples followed his gaze, all focusing on Li Xian.

Li Xian remained calm, grasping the entire situation, pondering in his heart: "It seems this scheme has been long in the making, prepared over time. Observing these besiegers, their attire, demeanor, and weapons are all different; they must be scattered Jianghu Guests. Surely among them is a formidable master capable of coordinating such a crowd."

"They’ve scattered iron nets along the way, determined to set an inescapable trap. They likely won’t rush to attack, merely waiting for the lake to rise, when many Flower Cage Sect disciples will be drowned. Tomorrow, they will scoop them up like fish and beasts."

Li Xian observed the slow ship progression, realizing the enemy’s ploy. He assessed the surroundings, devising an escape plan. The enemy numbered in the hundreds, while Flower Cage Sect disciples were just near a hundred. If they fought on ships, the Flower Cage Sect would struggle to form a formation, vastly outmatched, surely no match for hundreds of Jianghu Guests.

The enemy likely anticipated this, using the terrain to enclose. Li Xian, calm as ever, with a plan in mind, said, "Elder Tang, waiting is no option. We should lead the disciples, board the boats, and fight our way out; perhaps we can escape." Elder Tang said, "Ah! Even you say so; it seems the situation is dire! This... this..."

Li Xian smiled, "I’m no perfect being, always able to foresee the enemy. Walking the Jianghu requires responding to each challenge. And charging out is not rash without a plan; it’s the best strategy to break the siege!"

Tang Wenshu saw Li Xian’s extreme composure; thus, he also calmed down. His cultivation was deep, and if he wanted to escape, he was indeed superior to others. Though the enemy was many, they might not retain him. He then loudly declared, "All disciples, the enemy is crafty, designing traps to harm us. If we wish not to become their victims, we should empower ourselves and sail out now!"

The disciples, naturally timid, heard Tang Wenshu’s stern words and knew the gravity of the situation, feeling indescribable fear. Hearing the distant thunder rumbling again, their legs still grew weak even before the fight started. They feared the fight was absolute death, as they eyed each other warily.

Seeing everyone would rather face death than fight, Tang Wenshu felt particularly helpless. Li Xian said loudly, "Brothers, if my guess is right, within those many ships, some of our brothers are secretly hidden. Now is the time to strike, and the possibility of muddling through is high. Though the enemy is many, they haven’t formed a surrounding force, scattered in all directions. If we sail and attack proactively, the enemy would find it difficult to reinforce quickly; both sides would be closely matched in numbers, which they didn’t anticipate. We just need this opportunity to break out. Naturally, we can keep our lives. Every second delayed increases our danger. Weigh the pros and cons yourself; I need not say more."

"This is a one-time opportunity; if not cherished, we will be utterly routed. When the enemy draws closer, there will be no more hope, and one may as well commit to honorable self-end if they do not wish to be captured."

The disciples were stunned at his words, realizing the reason. With trust yet doubt, they picked up their weapons and boarded the planks to fight out. Li Xian took a single board boat, paddling with the crowd to fight out. A dangerous battle unfolded on the lake.

Though numerous, the enemy was indeed as Li Xian said. The Flower Cage Sect disciples broke through on one side; the distant boats could not assist immediately, growing anxious in vain. Forced assistance would breach their encirclement and further disarray their formation. Suddenly, both sides on the lake fought with similar numbers. The Flower Cage Sect, though mostly losing, had many disciples break through. Some less skilled or with low martial arts talent were captured alive. Tang Wenshu and several marked disciples broke through in succession.

An Weicheng was indeed among the crowd. He targeted Tang Wenshu; the two fought a perilous battle on the water, temporarily unable to determine a victor.

Li Xian, ever formidable, drove his boat forward; several Jianghu Guests unaware of his skill immediately joined forces to attack. Li Xian’s longsword swept the lake, stirring waves that slapped, flipping several boats over. Many keen-eyed and quick-witted Flower Cage Sect disciples took the opportunity to escape.

Li Xian was unstoppable. In an instant, he was out of the siege, when suddenly a clear and melodious voice rang out: "Li Xian? Ah, it’s really you! It’s really you!"

Among the Jianghu Guests, Gu Nianjun was covered in a fox fur snow mink coat with a light purple lotus elegant dress underneath, and adorned with light green embroidered shoes on her feet, standing out brilliantly among the Jianghu Guests, beautiful and radiant, her brows knitted tightly as she stared at Li Xian.