Chapter 121: Clearing Bandit Camps
Returning to the familiar grandeur of the Wang Family estate, a wave of relief washed over Wang Li. He dismounted from his Flying Sword, his body buzzing with the after-effects of his cultivation session and the lingering warmth of Su Yuerong’s touch.
Summoning a young female servant, he entrusted her with a specific task. “Deliver this spatial pouch to the Xia Family,” he instructed, handing her the pouch filled with the treasures he had gathered. “Request an audience with Acting Matriarch Xia Qingwu and present it as a token of goodwill from the Wang Family.”
The young woman, her eyes wide with the importance of the task, bowed deeply. “As you command, Patriarch Wang,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper before scurrying off.
With that errand dealt with, a mischievous grin spread across Wang Li’s face. He knew exactly whom to see next. With a light step, he headed towards the secluded courtyard where his cousin, Wang Xiangyi, resided.
Xiangyi, a vision in emerald robes that accentuated her already captivating figure, greeted him with a knowing smile as he entered. Her beauty, a tantalizing blend of innocence and maturity, never failed to stir something within him.
Their relationship was complex, a web of shared history, familial bonds, and a flicker of undeniable attraction. They embraced, the warmth of their bodies igniting a spark. Wang Li’s hand lingered on her back, tracing the delicate curve of her spine before sending shivers down her arms with a gentle caress.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, a familiar dance of desire. He explored her curves, his touch sending tremors of pleasure through her. They spent a blissful hour lost in each other’s arms, the tension of his recent endeavors melting away.
But amidst the intimacy, a practical thought arose. “Xiangyi,” he murmured, pulling back slightly, “I’ve been thinking.”
Her eyes, the color of a summer sky, held his gaze. “Thinking about what, Li?”
“The bandit problem around our territory,” he explained. “They’ve been a thorn in the side of the local people for far too long. It’s time we dealt with them.”
A glint of steel flickered in Xiangyi’s eyes. “An excellent idea, Li,” she agreed, her voice tinged with a thrill. “The people fear these bandits, unable to cultivate or trade freely. We can change that.”
Thus, a plan was hatched. Wang Li, with his formidable cultivation base, and Xiangyi, a prodigy in her own right, would embark on a mission to eradicate the bandit menace.
The following week was a whirlwind of action. Armed with their Flying Swords and potent techniques, they descended upon the unsuspecting bandits. From fortified camps guarding iron mines to hidden dens along trade routes, no bandit stronghold was safe.
Seven camps fell in quick succession. Wang Li’s overwhelming power decimated the bandit leaders, while Xiangyi’s swiftness and strategic mind ensured the rest were subdued. Liberation followed in the wake of their destruction.
With the bandits gone, the local people, initially filled with trepidation, emerged from hiding. Wang Li and Xiangyi encouraged them to rebuild their lives, to cultivate the fertile lands and exploit the rich iron deposits now free from bandit control.
In exchange for the Wang Family’s protection, these newly liberated communities offered a steady flow of resources. Herbs, grains, fruits, and even ores began to trickle into the Wang Family coffers. This was a mutually beneficial arrangement, fostering goodwill and solidifying the Wang Family’s influence in the region.
It was a stroke of brilliance, a way to expand their territory not with brute force, but with compassion and protection.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the newly settled community, Wang Li stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Xiangyi.
A flicker of concern clouded Wang Li’s brow as he addressed his cousin Xiangyi. “I must depart in a few days,” he announced, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.
Xiangyi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Depart? Where to, Li?” she inquired, a tremor of worry lacing her voice.
“I must visit the Crimson Rock Sect, Emerald Sea Palace, and the Golden Bell Temple,” he explained. “The purpose is to recruit husbands for some of the female members of our family.”
A pout formed on Xiangyi’s lips. “Recruit husbands? Couldn’t you simply send a message? Why must you go yourself?”
Wang Li chuckled, reaching out to gently rub her head. “It’s not a task I can delegate, Xiangyi. I need to personally assess their character, cultivation base, and most importantly, their compatibility with the women.”
A flicker of worry crossed Xiangyi’s face. “But Li,” she said, her voice soft, “what about your safety? Traveling alone to these sects seems like an unnecessary risk.”
Wang Li reached out, gently stroking her hair. “Don’t worry about me, Xiangyi,” he reassured her. “My cultivation base is enough to handle any potential threat. Besides,” his eyes twinkled with amusement, “who would dare attack the Patriarch of the Wang Family?”
There was a hint of truth in his words, yet Xiangyi couldn’t shake off a nagging feeling of unease. “Still,” she insisted, her voice firm, “I would feel better if I accompanied you.”
Wang Li cupped her face in his hands, his gaze filled with warmth. “My beautiful Xiangyi, your presence here is crucial. Remember, you are the only one besides me who can fully control and utilize the intricate array formations that protect our territory. Without you, the Wang Family would be vulnerable.”
Xiangyi’s pout deepened, but she conceded the point. “Alright, Li,” she sighed, understanding blooming in her eyes. “But be careful. Promise me you’ll return safe and sound.”
A tender smile spread across Wang Li’s face. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, passionate kiss. It was a kiss filled with longing, unspoken promises, and a hint of sensuality. As they parted, a fire flickered in Xiangyi’s eyes.
“I’ll be waiting for you, Li,” she whispered, her voice husky with desire.
Wang Li nodded, the image of Xiangyi etched into his memory. He knew he wouldn’t be gone long, but the anticipation of returning to her embrace served as a potent motivator.
The next day, as the first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, Wang Li departed from the Wang Family estate.
However, his first stop wasn’t any of the three sects. He had a detour in mind, a secret visit to a woman who held a special place in his heart – Matriarch Song Jingyan.
He was no stranger to the Song Family territory. Having spent a considerable amount of time there, he knew the intricate layout and the weaknesses in their boundary fields. With practiced ease, he bypassed the security measures, weaving through hidden pathways like a silent shadow.
Song Jingyan’s courtyard emerged into view, familiar and inviting. He navigated his way towards her private chambers, a sense of anticipation building within him. Reaching the door, he gave it a gentle push, causing it to creak open with a soft thud.
Inside, Song Jingyan lay nestled in her bed, a picture of serene slumber. Her nightdress, a delicate silk creation that clung to her curves in a way that was both elegant and undeniably sensual, offered little resistance to the moonlight streaming through the window.
At the sound of the door opening, her eyes snapped open, a flicker of surprise morphing into something altogether different when she saw Wang Li. The weight of their shared secret hung heavy in the air, a mix of guilt, passion, and a yearning for the forbidden.
Song Jingyan’s initial apprehension gave way to a wave of helpless desire. Since Wang Li’s departure, her nights had been filled with a phantom ache, a yearning for the stolen moments of pleasure they had shared. His sudden appearance felt like an answer to her unspoken desires.
A slow smile crept across Wang Li’s face as he witnessed the shift in her emotions. With a purposeful stride, he closed the distance between them, settling himself down next to her on the silk sheets. His hand, warm and familiar, brushed against her bare arm, sending a jolt of electricity through her body.
“Jingyan,” he murmured, his voice a husky caress, “you look as breathtaking as ever.”
Song Jingyan’s initial wave of desire was quickly followed by a jolt of fear. “Li,” she whispered, her voice barely a whimper, “h-how did you… enter?”
Her worry was well-founded. The Song Family prided itself on its impenetrable defenses. Entering their territory, particularly reaching her private chambers, should have been impossible without triggering alarms or alerting the guards. Yet, here he was, a ghost in the night.
Wang Li’s eyes flickered with amusement. He understood her concern, but tonight wasn’t the time for technical discussions. Leaning in, he gently brushed his lips against the delicate curve of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
“Let’s leave security measures for another time, Jingyan,” he murmured, his voice a husky whisper. “Right now,” he continued, his hand trailing down her arm to grab hold of the gentle swell of her hip, “all I desire is you.”
Song Jingyan’s breath hitched. The memory of their stolen passion still burned brightly, and the unexpectedness of his arrival had ignited a fire within her. Her body betrayed her apprehension, leaning closer to his touch.
A playful glint danced in Wang Li’s eyes as he witnessed her surrender. He swatted playfully at her curvaceous backside, the sound echoing softly in the stillness of the chamber.
“Tell me, how will you serve your guest tonight, Matriarch Song?” he teased, his voice laced with a suggestive drawl.
A soft groan escaped her lips, a mixture of pleasure and frustration. His touch had awakened a yearning she’d desperately tried to suppress. “However you desire, Li,” she finally whispered, her voice husky with desire.
The dam had broken. With a swift movement, Wang Li discarded his outer robes, revealing a toned physique honed through years of cultivation. Song Jingyan mirrored his actions, her silk nightdress melting away to reveal curves that sent a surge of heat through him.
The night unfolded in a whirlwind of passion. Their movements were a familiar dance, fueled by a shared desire and the forbidden thrill of their encounter. Wang Li explored her body with practiced ease, his touch igniting a wildfire in her core. She responded in kind, her hands trailing down his back, her every touch a silent plea.
They experimented, pushing boundaries, rediscovering the pleasures they had once shared. Groans and gasps filled the room, a symphony of their shared ecstasy. The night was a blur of heated kisses, tangled limbs, and whispered endearments.
As dawn painted the sky with streaks of orange and pink, exhaustion finally claimed them. They clung to each other, their bodies intertwined, the remnants of their passionate encounter warming the cool morning air.
He pushed her to the limits of her pleasure, her cries of ecstasy music to his ears. Each touch, each thrust, fueled the inferno raging within them. They explored forbidden depths, reaching a crescendo that left them breathless and satiated.
As dawn painted the sky with streaks of pink and gold, Wang Li collapsed beside her, his chest heaving. Song Jingyan, her body flushed and glistening with sweat, rested her head on his shoulder.
A fragile silence settled between them, a tacit acknowledgement of the forbidden bond they shared. They both knew this couldn’t last, but for this night, they were lost in a world of their own creation.
“Tell me, Li,” Song Jingyan finally broke the silence, her voice raspy. “How did you manage to bypass the boundary fields so easily?”
Wang Li knew he couldn’t keep hiding the truth. The vulnerability in her eyes, the fear masked by desire, made him realize the gravity of his actions. He couldn’t exploit her trust.
“There’s… a weakness in your western perimeter,” he admitted, his voice laced with regret. “A blind spot in the array formation.”
Song Jingyan’s eyes widened. The Song Family’s defenses were their pride and joy. A weakness, especially one so easily discovered, was a major security breach. “We need to fix it, Li,” she whispered, a newfound urgency in her voice.
“I know,” Wang Li agreed, his voice solemn. “I’ll help you identify it later. But for now…” he trailed off, his gaze meeting hers. “We need to rest.”
They spent the rest of the day cloaked in a comfortable silence. Song Jingyan, with a renewed sense of purpose, prepared the necessary materials to repair the boundary field. Wang Li reviewed maps and formations, pinpointing the weak spot for her.
