Li Xian teased to himself: "I think you must be Luo Feiyan, trying to hide your Luo Family identity." Amused by this thought, he joked, "Seems like weāre both from the same family name. The rarity of Flower as a surname is truly exceptional, weāre so destined. Maybe if we trace it back, weāre actually cousins... or even siblings!"
Luo Feiyan scoffed: "Who wants to be destined with you? Ridiculous, do you deserve it?"
After walking a bit more, Luo Feiyan remarked: "Is that murkiness on your face natural?" Li Xian sighed and replied, "My mother always said that this full-face murkiness is a birthmark that can only be resolved when I meet my true love."
Luo Feiyan didnāt respond, feeling that this person was so frivolous and unreliable. Talking with him always led nowhere.
Li Xianās expression suddenly turned serious. He slowed his steps, treading lightly. He detected a faint scent of blood, and checked the map, noticing there was a cave nearby. Li Xian quietly approached, looking at the cave and thinking that the Black-Faced Bat King must be here, mustnāt disturb him. So he withdrew and hid up a tree, using the leaves to cover himself.
Luo Feiyan felt a surge of adrenaline upon smelling the stench of blood too, knowing they might have found the Black-Faced Bat Kingās hideout, a formidable enemy. She looked around and saw Li Xian already hiding, securing his own safety first, then gesturing to her to come and hide.
This was perfectly normal. Yet Luo Feiyan felt angry, for she was exceedingly beautiful, and both inside and outside her family treated her with utmost care, delicate and gentle, mindful of her emotions. A slight frown from her could leave many men sleepless with heartbreak. This mission to eradicate the Black-Faced Bat King gained momentum entirely because of her āGolden Hairpinā reputation. It was her first time encountering such a man, scolding in her heart: "Self-preserving coward, unworthy of being a man!" She performed the "Dreamy Silk Step" and hid nearby.
Li Xian said: "The Black-Faced Bat King is very likely hiding here. How do you want to express it, kiss us both?"
Luo Feiyan cursed: "Dream on!"
Li Xian laughed: "Alright, not admitting it. But no problem, Iām used to being hurt by women."
Luo Feiyan sarcastically replied: "With your looks, which woman would bother with you? So self-assuming, utterly repulsive." Li Xian chuckled: "Such a sharp tongue, now that you want to kiss me, yet Iām afraid to let you. Lest I might get poisoned."
Luo Feiyan secretly harnessed her Inner Qi, steadied her breathing, glaring at Li Xian fiercely, suddenly thinking: "Why am I speaking with this filthy guy, he must feel elated talking to me." But looking closely at Li Xian, disregarding the murky face, he was actually quite handsome.
Luo Feiyan said: "You say the Black-Faced Bat King is hiding in the cave. Letās go in and catch him?"
Li Xian said: "Not suitable. Itās pitch black inside, he has a huge advantage. Need a method to drive him out." Instantly thought of burning grass and wood, blowing black smoke into the cave to force the Black-Faced Bat King out. But the rising black smoke would inevitably draw othersā attention.
Immediately devised another strategy. Examined the map, contemplating tactics. Suddenly saw what the map indicated, several streams around, seemingly all connected to the cave. This āMountain Seeking and Vein Searchingā method was the Geomancy taught by Wen Caishang, of which Li Xian had learned a bit, now proving useful.
Immediately deduced, inside the cave hides a subterranean river, not very large, turning into babbling streams when breaking above ground.
"I learned Feng Shui Geomancy from Madam before. Perhaps through some arrangements, we can block the surrounding streams, causing the subterranean river to overflow in the cave. Seeing this situation, he will certainly be startled, naturally leaving the cave."
Li Xian set about arranging it.
This wasnāt difficult. Li Xianās mastery of Feng Shui Geomancy was barely proficient. Knowing how to utilize the mountainās orientation, discerning the direction of water veins.
He said: "You guys stay here and keep quiet." Holding the map, he performed his Lightweight Skill and left. Luo Feiyan marveled: "Remarkable Lightweight Skill! I underestimated him!"
She increasingly felt Li Xian was by no means ordinary. The Black-Faced Bat King had been wreaking havoc for a long time, fleeing for days, killing several along the way, truly troublesome. Li Xian arrived today, immediately showcasing expertise in seeking traces and finding the hideout along the way.
Now revealing impressive Lightweight Skill.
She murmured: "I shall follow and see what strange tricks this person is up to! If he turns out to be wicked, well, I wonāt let him off either." Full of curiosity, she told the Jianghu freelancer: "You keep guard here, if anything happens, emit smoke as a signal. Iāll go over to assist."
Her figure drifted, like smoky silk flowing. A gentle tiptoeing on leaves, heeling several yards. This "Dreamy Silk Step" may be lower-grade Lightweight Skill, but it has its unique features.
Soon she caught up.
Li Xian said: "Why did you follow?" Luo Feiyan frowned: "I need to see if youāre up to anything suspicious."
Li Xian pondered: "Itās still early, that Black-Faced Bat King wouldnāt dare leave the cave. If he does come out, thatās ideal, saving me the effort." So he didnāt say more.
The cave has an underground river connecting four small streams. Li Xian located them one by one, and devised a way to block them.
Immediately rushed back outside the cave to guard.
In the cave, the Black-Faced Bat King was sitting quietly, recuperating, digesting the Beast Blood in his belly. Practicing Evil Martial Arts, he lived on blood, his appearance gradually changed, exhibiting a hideous terror.
Suddenly, he smelled faint water vapor.
Looked down to see the soil becoming loose, stepping down felt like treading water. He thought: "Is this place going to flood? How can I stay here, Iām currently in Martial Arts Second Realm, facing water is dangerous, must leave quickly!"
By then, the fierce noon had passed, sunlight was abundant but not scorching. Black-Faced Bat King emerged from the cave entrance, sunlight shining, couldnāt help but squint his eyes, raised his hand to shield. His skin was very dark, with small fine hairs. The sunlight causing the hairs to curl and twist.
Skin developed dense red rashes. He gnashed his teeth, scratched forcefully, quickly finding shelter in the shade.
This scene was seen by Li Xian, secretly saying: "Indeed here, this person so afraid of water, likely also in Martial Arts Second Realm! Solely based on cultivation... stronger than me. I havenāt practiced long, really helpless. But... when it comes to specific power, merely judging from the realm is hard to tell." Li Xian took great heed, yet remained mindful not to underestimate.