Chapter 9: Wang Li’s Fiance Xia Qingwu
As the group made their way out of the Auction House, a sense of relief washed over them, their steps lightened by the knowledge that they had successfully liberated forty women from their chains of enslavement. Yet, even as they departed, the barrier surrounding the Auction House remained intact.
This barrier broke apart 10 minutes later as it endured the attacks of all the cultivators inside the Auction House.
Meanwhile, after whisking away the forty liberated women to their underground hideout, Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi took a moment to catch their breath.
The dimly lit cavern provided a temporary sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world.
With a flick of his wrist, Wang Li deactivated the illusion array and barrier guarding the entrance to their hideout, revealing the concealed pit hidden beneath layers of earth and stone. It was their secret passage to freedom, a path only they knew how to navigate.
As the women looked around in awe, Wang Xiangyi removed her mask and bamboo hat, revealing her familiar features to the astonished group.
“Surprise!” she exclaimed with a grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
The women gasped in delight at the sight of their rescuers, their faces lighting up with joy at the unexpected reunion. Wang Li followed suit, revealing his identity with a flourish as he addressed the assembled group.
“Looks like we made it in time,” he remarked, his voice laced with relief. “No need for formalities, ladies. We’re all in this together now.”
The women nodded eagerly, their expressions a mix of gratitude and admiration as they listened to Wang Li’s words.
They had never lost hope that their young master would come to their rescue, and now their faith had been rewarded in the most unexpected of ways.
One woman stepped forward, her eyes brimming with tears as she spoke. “Thank you, Master Li,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “We knew you wouldn’t abandon us.”
Wang Li smiled warmly at the woman’s words, his heart swelling with pride at the sight of their unwavering loyalty.
“It was the least we could do,” he replied modestly, his gaze sweeping over the group. “But our work isn’t done yet.”
The women exchanged curious glances, their interest piqued by Wang Li’s cryptic words.
“What do you mean, Master Li?” one of them asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Wang Li’s expression turned serious as he explained the gravity of their situation. “Word of our little rescue mission is bound to spread,” he said, his tone somber. “We need to be prepared for whatever comes next.”
The women nodded in understanding, their faces set with determination as they braced themselves for the challenges ahead. They may have been freed from their captivity, but their journey was far from over.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi began to outline their plan for the days ahead, their voices echoing off the cavern walls as they discussed their next course of action.
“We’ll need to lay low for a while,” Wang Xiangyi suggested, her eyes scanning the group for any signs of dissent. “But we can’t stay hidden forever.”
Wang Li nodded in agreement, his mind already racing with ideas for their next move. “We’ll need to gather allies,” he said, his voice tinged with determination. “People we can trust to help us in our fight.”
In the meantime, in a secluded courtyard, surrounded by flickering flames that danced in harmony with his martial movements, Ye Fan immersed himself in the intense training of a newly acquired martial technique. With each controlled breath, he channeled the fiery energy of the flames, seeking to master the potent power that lay dormant within him.
Sweat glistened on his brow as he executed each precise movement with unwavering focus, his mind fully consumed by the intricacies of the technique. For weeks, he had dedicated himself to this rigorous training regimen, pushing his limits in pursuit of mastery over the flames.
As he unleashed a final burst of fiery energy, a sense of satisfaction washed over Ye Fan. Despite the grueling nature of his training, he could feel himself inching closer to unlocking the full potential of the technique. With determination burning bright in his eyes, he knew that he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Just then, a sudden commotion broke the tranquility of the courtyard, pulling Ye Fan from his meditation. His ears perked up as he caught wind of the startling news that swept through the region like wildfire.
“Did you hear? Forty women slaves, all formerly of the Wang Family, have been freed by two mysterious Core Formation Realm cultivators!”
Ye Fan’s curiosity piqued at the mention of the Wang Family. The name stirred memories of his own past, intertwining with the present in unexpected ways. He pondered the identity of these mysterious cultivators and their motivations for freeing the women.
“Core Formation Realm cultivators,” he muttered, his mind racing with possibilities. “Who could they be?”
A sly smile tugged at the corners of Ye Fan’s lips as he contemplated the possible connections. Could this be the work of the same individual who had liberated Wang Xiangyi, his own former slave? The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place in his mind, forming a tantalizing picture of intrigue and revenge.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Ye Fan made a decision. He would journey to Meigu Town, determined to uncover the truth behind these mysterious events. If there was any chance of tracing Wang Xiangyi’s whereabouts, he would seize it with both hands.
As the night enveloped the Azure Peak Sect in its embrace, Ye Fan embarked on his journey towards Meigu Town. Mounted upon his trusty Flying Sword, he soared through the skies with unparalleled speed, a streak of silver cutting through the darkness like a shooting star.
The wind rushed past him, whipping at his robes as he traversed vast distances in the blink of an eye.
Yet, despite the incredible velocity of his flight, Ye Fan knew that it would take him a full day to reach his destination. With patience and determination, he pressed onward, his mind consumed by thoughts of the enigmatic figures who had liberated the women of the Wang Family.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the underground hideout, Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi finalized their plans for the next phase of their mission.
With the freed women safely concealed within the confines of their sanctuary, the two cultivators turned their attention to their next move.
Wang Li’s gaze fell upon his communication talisman, a slender piece of jade imbued with the power of spiritual transmission.
With a deft flick of his wrist, he activated the talisman, its surface shimmering with ethereal light as he reached out to his fiancée, Xia Qingwu.
Xia Qingwu, a woman of grace and intelligence, held a special place in Wang Li’s heart. Though their union had been forged through the political machinations of their respective families, over time, a bond had formed between them—a bond tempered by mutual respect and understanding.
Despite the constraints of their arranged marriage, Wang Li harbored no ill will towards Xia Qingwu.
In fact, he admired her resilience and unwavering support to him, especially during the tumultuous period when rumors of the Wang Family’s alleged dealings with demons had cast a shadow over their reputation.
As the communication talisman hummed to life, Wang Li’s thoughts drifted to the upcoming meeting with Xia Qingwu.
He knew that revealing the location of their underground hideout would be unwise, despite his trust in her.
Instead, he opted to arrange a rendezvous at a nearby inn, where they could converse in relative safety.
With a sense of anticipation tinged with caution, Wang Li awaited Xia Qingwu’s response, hoping that their meeting would yield the information they needed to proceed with their plans.
Half a day later, Xia Qingwu flew to the Meigu Town.
In the bustling streets of Meigu Town, the inn bustled with activity as patrons came and went, their voices mingling in a cacophony of conversation and laughter. Seated at a secluded table in a dimly lit corner, Wang Li waited patiently for Xia Qingwu to arrive, his senses alert for any signs of her presence.
Moments later, the door swung open, and Xia Qingwu entered, her graceful figure gliding across the room with effortless elegance. Wang Li’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, a rush of warmth flooding his veins as he rose to greet her.
“Qingwu,” he said, his voice soft yet tinged with urgency. “Thank you for coming.”
Xia Qingwu returned his greeting with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Li,” she replied, taking a seat opposite him. “I am glad to see you doing fine. A month or so ago, I heard news about your death. Fortunately, it was just one of those false rumors.”
Wang Li nodded his head, “Mhm.”
Xia Qingwu then asked him, “You mentioned that you had something important to discuss. What is it?”
Wang Li paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking. “I’ll get straight to the point,” he began, his tone serious. “I need your help.”
Xia Qingwu’s brow furrowed slightly, her expression filled with concern. “What kind of help do you need?” she asked, leaning forward attentively.
Wang Li hesitated, weighing his words carefully, “As you might have heard by now, I am the one who saved forty women of my family from slavery. However, I don’t have a place to take care of them or even protect them. I was hoping that you would help me with this matter.”
Xia Qingwu listened intently, her expression shifting from surprise to determination. “I see,” she murmured, nodding thoughtfully. “You’ve certainly found yourself in a delicate situation.”
Wang Li nodded in agreement, relieved to see Xia Qingwu’s understanding. “Indeed,” he replied. “Which is why I’m reaching out to you for assistance. With your resources and influence, we could ensure the safety of these women and thwart any attempts to undermine our efforts.”
Xia Qingwu’s gaze softened, a hint of admiration shining in her eyes. “You’ve always had a knack for finding yourself in the midst of trouble,” she remarked with a wry smile. “First it was for that Ye Fan, but fortunately, this time, you are finally thinking for yourself and your family. Since this will help me save the members of the Wang Family, I will help you. Count me in.”
A wave of relief washed over Wang Li as he clasped Xia Qingwu’s hand in gratitude. “Thank you, Qingwu,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity. “I knew I could rely on you.”
