Chapter 585: Chapter 334: Severed Qi, Severed Martial Arts—Besieging the Lady, Li Xian Appears to Stand Alone Protecting Her (Part 2)

Duan Yixin said, "Continuing to duel like this is not a good strategy. She sits steadily on the Lake Heart Platform, holding the advantage of terrain, and has already gained an undefeatable first move!"

Xiao Wanjian said in a deep voice, "We can’t let this witch go. It’s so difficult to surround her, how can we miss such a great opportunity? In my view... if she still eludes us, we shall lead the charge to attack." Wang Zongzheng replied gravely, "That’s unwise, it’s unwise. This witch is extremely formidable; such actions would only result in more casualties."

Xiao Wanjian replied, "With the five of us working together, how could we not manage to deal with this witch? In my opinion, other than her mastery of the musical way, she might be quite average in other aspects. Moreover, as the chimes resonate, all abilities vanished, leaving us as ordinary mortals. She’s but a mere woman, what waves could she stir?"

Hou Yuande said, "Elder Xiao has a point. But in my view, there’s no rush for the moment; we can wait a bit longer." The elders asked, "Oh? Why do you say so?" Hou Yuande said, "Because... the chimes are growing more frequent, and if they become continuous, that would be the optimal time to capture and kill the witch."

Upon his hint, the elders came back to their senses, and upon closer realization, they truly felt the chimes’ frequency, with an interval of less than a breath. Hou Yuande further said, "We need only to wait for half a day. The chimes may become continuous, and then we can lead the charge to capture her, ensuring her defeat without doubt. At that time, we might not even need to fight—just some verbal intimidation may suffice for her surrender."

They then ordered to encircle the lakeside with strict vigilance. Seeing the enemies’ movements, Wen Caishang realized they had found a tactic, causing her brows to knit slightly. Murmuring: "They’ve noticed the chimes speeding up, hence wasting time and conserving energy for a future assault. It’s indeed a clever plan. Well then... if that’s the case, we’ll need sword techniques to decide life and death."

After waiting a moment longer, sudden footsteps approached swiftly. A disciple shouted excitedly: it was the women from the Sword Sect arriving. Wen Caishang’s expression darkened, thinking: "They are already hard to deal with, and now they have nearly a hundred more. My luck is unfavorable; the calamity of dragon theft still hasn’t fully dissipated. Heaven adds to my woes." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Zhao Chunxia, Yang Piaoxue, Tang Mengluo, and the other elders finally met up, greeting the five leading elders. Wang Zongzheng from Yue Mountain Sword Sect asked with concern, "Chunxia, you’re here too. What happened, why did you all disappear?"

Zhao Chunxia said, "This is the doing of that scoundrel He Wentian! Where is He Wentian? Where is he?" The women clamored, demanding to know He Wentian’s whereabouts.

Wang Zongzheng said, "City Lord He is not here. Earlier, while chasing the witch, we realized he wasn’t present anymore."

Tang Mengluo said angrily, "Fine, he’s guilty and has fled. Elders, please quickly catch him back. This thief is sly and treacherous."

The elders’ expressions changed upon hearing this, confusion on their faces. Hu Yueyue asked, "Sanluo, what do you mean by that? Isn’t there some misunderstanding? City Lord He is magnanimous; how could he be the culprit? If not for his rescue, we might have perished."

The male disciples were puzzled. Xiao Wanjian said seriously, "I think there’s been a misunderstanding, which might not be easily clarified in a few words. We’ve already misunderstood City Lord He once; if there’s a second time, we should discuss it thoroughly. Currently, the witch has killed my sect disciples; this bitter enemy is the priority. Once this is resolved, then we can talk about City Lord He. Whether true or false, it will naturally become clear."

Wang Zongzheng, Duan Yixin, Hu Yueyue, and Hou Yuande, the four leading elders, all nodded in agreement, saying, "This way, it is the safest." Zhao Chunxia and the others hesitated, feeling capturing He Wentian was paramount, but the five elders held high positions and strong power, and their words were not flawed. Thus, they said, "Very well."

The women reached the lakeside, seeing a figure in a white dress. Though deep in the Underground Palace, the lake rippled, waters clear and serene, a tranquil stone pavilion, and a beauty playing the zither. Surrounded by enemies, yet calm and composed. At this sight, the women couldn’t help but admire, "Such a Lady Broken Sword, what presence, truly extraordinary."

He Lijun said, "Elders, why not go over the lake together and attack this woman?"

Hu Yueyue said, "This woman’s musical prowess is exceptional. No matter the technique, her zither sound can dissolve it all. Furthermore, the chimes resonate, aiding her to remain undefeated with the zither."

Peng Sanluo asked, "Are we just going to drag on like this?" Hu Yueyue was about to speak when a chime resonated; she arched her brow, "No... wait until the chimes grow more frequent; then we’ll capture her. She definitely can’t escape, and it’s close."

She nudged the water with her longsword. The sword was enveloped by water, its tip angled downward, water dripping along the blade. With every five drops, there’s a chime. With every four drops, there’s a chime... The chimes became more frequent, now far less than a breath apart.

The chime resonates in a precise rhythm. As the chimes quickened, their sound grew lighter and softer. When the chimes faded, all Martial Arts transformations and Inner Qi manipulation became void. The Sword Sect disciples spoke in noisy discussions, feeling increasingly uneasy and anxious.

Xiao Wanjian gave a stern order. Upon receiving it, the disciples stood ready, looking fierce, encircling the lake.

Wen Caishang gazed at the lake without disturbance, seeing the enemies encircling her, feeling neither fear nor panic. Her nature held more indifference than others, this moment more disdainful. Leisurely plucking the strings, a calm zither sound flowed out. The disciples retreated several steps in fear, but sensing no killing intent in the music, they listened closely, silently entranced.

Thinking, once the sword fight ensues, they’ll never hear such a tune again, their hearts grew sorrowful. Joy for avenging their comrades was absent. Wen Caishang said, "This situation is indeed interesting. Regardless of life and death, before that, I shall present a piece."