It turns out Qiuyue is extremely jealous. Over ten days ago, after being scolded by Madam, she realized her position was at risk and would inevitably be replaced by Li Xian.

By then, her situation would be bleak, with no one to care for her, a gap she couldn't accept. In her desolation, she thought of the money she'd accumulated over the years. If she left the manor and settled elsewhere, she could still lead a comfortable life.

Thus, the thought of escape was born.

Qiuyue had served Madam for over a decade, knowing all her big and small secrets. She found an opportunity when Madam was in seclusion, leaving silently and unnoticed. Had it not been for encountering the Flower Cage Sect, she might have truly escaped far away.

But Qiuyue had long been sheltered in the manor, her vision very limited. She only knew Madam was formidable but didn't know why. Isolated from the world, pampered and comfortable, she gradually forgot the outside dangers. Her skills were average, as was her nature.

This move seemed like a risky gamble but was essentially a dead-end. Even if she hadn't encountered the Flower Cage Sect, there would surely be other obstacles. If Madam sought revenge, Qiuyue's escape would ensure certain death, even if she fled far. She was foolish and unaware, making mistakes at every step.

Moreover, her luck was poor, just falling into the hands of the Flower Cage Sect.

Li Xian, upon hearing this, took Qiuyue elsewhere, where no one was around. He furrowed his brows, gazing at Qiuyue, "Did you run away?"

"Yes." Qiuyue felt exposed and admitted dejectedly.

Li Xian said, "With your level of martial arts mastery, how dare you attempt escape? What secret do you know?"

Qiuyue murmured uncertainly, "If I tell you, will you let me go?" Li Xian pondered. If Qiuyue betrayed Madam, her fate was already sealed. Even if Li Xian did nothing, someone else would. Qiuyue couldn't understand the situation. The woman's view was foolish to the extreme, believing she still had a way out.

Li Xian thought of her years of service, seemingly respectful but actually pitiable. His own situation was similar. Though he despised Qiuyue, he also felt a moment of compassion and said, "I can make it quick for you."

"You… you're so resolute!" Qiuyue trembled all over, "Really… truly… you won't let me go?"

"You're too foolish!"

Li Xian said, "I'm glad to see you succeeded in escaping. But… can you truly evade Madam's pursuit? If I let you go, you'll surely fall into her hands within three days. Then how could you find relief? Madam's means… I have witnessed them. Giving you a quick end is already my mercy."

Qiuyue's legs gave way, and she knelt on the ground. Regret washed over her as the impulsive bloodlust faded, and she found herself in an icy pit.

She knew she couldn't survive, a fit of madness seized her. Then she looked at Li Xian, recalling his previous words, her eyes flickering.

"Fine, I'll tell you the secret. Ask only that you make it quick for me." Qiuyue said, "The reason I dared to flee at this moment is because… right now, Madam is unable to move."

"Unable to move?" Li Xian recalled the early scene of the "Jade Palm." Qiuyue said, "Hmph, you pretty boy, after I die, surely you'll replace me. Helping Madam practice the 'Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique.'"

"There's no harm in telling you. That technique is above superior martial arts. It's a peculiar skill, but its cultivation method is very strange."

"It requires no tempering of hands and feet, no practice of moves, accomplished solely through 'inner cultivation.' But without external aid, this skill regresses rather than progresses."

"It truly is a strange skill," Li Xian muttered. Like a silkworm spinning silk, binding the inner cultivation, this skill can only advance. The Jade Palm is named after 'Jiang,' but its Qi manipulation technique traces back to the 'Silk Mistaken Jade Technique.' Condensing Qi like silk, entwined and bound.

Qiuyue continued, "Madam gained this strange skill, and I helped her cultivate it. Using special silk ropes to bind her body. Her body like a silkworm cocoon, cultivating inner martial arts. But this martial art, the deeper one cultivates, the more difficult it becomes. When Madam first practiced the first layer, she could easily break free. But as she advanced, it became harder and harder, her movements increasingly constrained. Though she tried to hide it, being with her for so long, I began to suspect."

"It's just like the silkworm. Initially, when it spins silk, the cocoon isn't tightly bound and can be abandoned at any time. But… as it continuously spins silk, the cocoon becomes denser, eventually binding itself. Unable to break free."

"Faced with a dilemma. If she abandons cultivation, her mastery will regress, and she won't maintain her level. If she continues, the cocoon binds her wholly."

At this point, Qiuyue spat in jealousy, "If not for you, I could have relied on this uniqueness to be unafraid in the manor. But recently, you… you can now bathe with Madam. Madam no longer minds physical contact with you. The next step… surely you, thinking of this, how could I not flee?"

"Do you really think, once I'm of no use, it's just neglect? Madam would cut my tongue, cripple my legs, leaving me empty in the manor!"

Qiuyue hysterically cried, "I haven't betrayed Madam, I was forced. It was you who drove me to death!"

Qiuyue said in despair, "My fate is sealed. Li Xian, my destiny today will be yours tomorrow. Knowing this secret, you'll surely repeat my fate one day."

Li Xian said, "Your words make sense. Though you hate me for pushing you to death, I no longer resent you. Not letting you go today is entirely to prevent you, when caught by Madam, from biting back at me. Otherwise… I would really like to see if you can truly escape."

"No need," Qiuyue said, "I've understood. I cannot escape. It was I who forgot Madam's abilities, foolishly trying to escape while she was in seclusion. Give me a swift end."

Li Xian said, "Okay, this is Blood Seal Throat. I will use inner qi to activate it. Relax your mind, and in three breaths, you'll be dead."

Qiuyue nodded, resigning herself calmly. The poison entered her body, her eyelids gradually heavy, and she died. Li Xian deeply sighed, greatly moved, since he came to the manor, Pang Long went missing, Qiuyue died…

Yihetang Manor had already changed dramatically.

"Qiuyue's death can't be entirely blamed on her foolishness. Qiuyue was right about one thing. Her fate today may be my fate tomorrow. If I don't want to repeat her path, then… I must strive to enhance my strength and seek opportunities."

"But Qiuyue's hatred for me was deep. This conversation, how much was true, how much false, needs careful deliberation. I can't trust it completely."

"Her body needs to be dealt with properly."

Li Xian thought to himself.

...

...

Abandoned mansion.

Yesterday, a fierce battle, the Flower Cage Sect's villains were completely annihilated, with seven constables injured. Purely in terms of Martial Arts, the villains from the Flower Cage Sect were more formidable than any constable.

But the Martial Captain Hall had the advantage of numbers, and the constables were equipped with armor. With coordinated efforts, they struck first and achieved great victory.

The heads of the villains were individually taken. Lin Aoshan, hands on her hips, smiled with delight, for this was a significant achievement. She had just inherited her title, possessing only a high position without real authority or prestige.

The merit was small, but still precious.

"Brother Li, thank you for this matter!" Lin Aoshan said with a smile.

"Eradicating evil and eliminating harm is my duty. Cooperating with the Celestial Patrol Bureau to eradicate the bandit nest is an obligation." Li Xian replied with a smile.

By this time, dawn had broken.

The grass was stained with blood, and corpses were scattered all over. Li Xian knew that there were many tiger beasts in the mountains. If the corpses were not handled, they would feed the tiger beasts, growing them fat and endangering others.

He thus ordered, on the spot, to dig a pit and bury the more than ten corpses. Gu Shuntong's body was burned in a fierce fire, for he had entered Food Essence, and burying his corpse would still attract demons.

After handling the scene, they crossed the wild mountains, heading for Qingning County. The constables removed their armor, their clothes soaked through. Luo Xia was in a great mood; she was born that way and enjoyed knives and blood. With a wave of her hand, she rewarded each constable with a tael of silver, invigorating their spirits.

She was generous, but the money came from Li Xian.

Lin, Luo, Zhao, Wang, the four women, accompanied and returned to the Martial Captain Hall. They drank water and ate pancakes. Their emotions gradually stabilized, and their disheveled hair was tidied.

Li Xian sent someone to notify the four great families to escort the four women home.

The four women looked at each other, hesitant to speak. They seemed unwilling to return home, yet had no choice.

Lin Qingwan, with red-rimmed eyes, pleaded, "Lord Li, I... I don't want to go home. I humbly ask you to take me in. I can do embroidery, cook rice, and sweep the floor. I just don't want to go home."

Li Xian asked, "Why?"

Lin Qingwan sobbed in a low voice. Lin Aoshan said, "I understand the matter. In aristocratic families, interests are paramount. Though the four clans of Qingning have some local influence, they are just small families in Prefecture City."

"The resources in the clan are limited, so only the family's legitimate sons can engage with Martial Arts, aim for Washing the Fetus, Food Essence, and seek Transcendence. These women of the clan, though beautiful, have no autonomy. Now, having gone through the Flower Cage Sect incident, they struggle to have any standing in the clan, and life will not be easy."

"I see." Li Xian understood. "You are well-informed."

"Nonsense," Lin Aoshan said. "I'm the great matriarch of the Lin Family; I know the ins and outs well. Many young talents from my clan are quite famous in the Prefecture City. Yet, when they see me, they have to bow obediently and call me grandma."

"When I speak, even their fathers and grandfathers have to listen carefully."

The women were envious when they heard this. Li Xian said, "This is simple. How about this... I will personally send them home with you, Sister Lin."

"Then, at that time... I'd trouble you, this great matriarch of the Lin Family, to say a few words yourself. I'll interject a few words, so that the families dare not act rashly."

"In the future, if you really find life unbearable, you can come to me. I have some shops and can arrange some positions for you. Or you might really want to come to the Martial Captain Hall to boil water and cook, but it would be hard work, and you, having been pampered, might not adapt well."

The women were very grateful for these words. Lin Qingwan's beautiful eyes welled with emotion, yet she also felt a deep sadness. Lin Aoshan teased, "You really know how to present others' flowers as your own tribute," yet she also agreed.

With this arrangement, they visited each household, escorting them home one by one. The Flower Cage Sect matter was known to very few. With Li Xian and Lin Aoshan speaking, the families were happy to let go.

Arriving at the Wang Family, just as they were sending Madam Wang home. Coincidentally, the concubine was also there. She scrutinized Li Xian and Lin Aoshan and suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!" saying, "Female bandit..."

Lin Aoshan took a step forward and covered her mouth. The head of the Wang Family, Wang Shiping, curiously asked, "Grand Marquis, what are you doing...?"

Lin Aoshan said, "I have a great connection with this sister at first sight. You all withdraw, and I will have a family chat with my sister."

Wang Shiping was eager to comply and was greatly pleased, saying, "Good, good, you two talk. Ah Yue, entertain well."

The lovely concubine named Xiu Yue nodded blankly. Once everyone dispersed, Lin Aoshan released her mouth and explained the situation.

Knowing that the culprits were actually the two of them, Xiu Yue was both ashamed and surprised. She glanced at Li Xian several times, gradually showing hidden delight. Recalling that night, it seemed to have changed in meaning.

"Brother Li."

"I think your identity as a rogue should be solidified. I think it's quite suitable for you." Lin Aoshan said with meaningful implication.

"It's not impossible. Traveling through the Jianghu, enjoying beauty and wealth simultaneously... the taste is quite enjoyable." Li Xian smiled.

"Bah, bah, bah, you really want to be a rogue?" Lin Aoshan said, "Be careful, I'll have someone catch you for commendations."

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