Chapter 611: Chapter 341: Fist Strikes Sword Sect, Sword Subdues Lady, Disciplining the Wife, Great Self Revealed!

Wen Caishang pondered, "So the Five Mountains Sword Alliance came early for this matter. Hmph, they wish to challenge me to a duel, but they must ask if they are worthy first. I was already set to leave, so why bother with them? If they dare to block my way, I shall make them suffer, cripple their spirits, and send their lives westward." Just as she was preparing to refuse.

Li Xian said, "The Five Mountains Sword Alliance, with its numerous people and immense power, has already wronged my wife with their deception within the tomb. Now they dare to bring this deceit to our doorstep, they have gone too far!"

Seeing Li Xian speak up in her defense, Wen Caishang showed a hint of a smile and remained silent. The five elders exchanged glances, first observing Wen Caishang’s expression. Seeing her calm demeanor, they thought, "This Madam is definitely not easy to deal with; interacting with her is a matter of life and death, precarious indeed. We demanded this duel to protect our sect’s reputation and answer to our disciples, bearing the risks. This Madam seems to obey this young man’s words; what kind of enchantment has he cast on her?"

Everyone felt a twinge of envy.

Li Xian said, "Regarding the tomb matters, I believe you’re all clear. It was He Wentian who played tricks, deceiving you into hating my wife. If you weren’t misled by him, and pursued my wife first, how would she have needed to use the traps to defend herself? The disciples’ deaths are unfortunate, but ultimately, He Wentian was at fault, and so were you, while my wife was innocent."

Wen Caishang felt moved in her heart, gazed affectionately at Li Xian, thinking, "This little mischief is quite adorable at such moments. If only he was like this every day." She consented to let him continue.

Duan Yixin spoke in a stern voice, "Brother Li, that is incorrect. When we reached your wife, we didn’t intend to start a conflict immediately. This matter could have been negotiated, but Madam Wen activated the traps to harm us. This..."

Wen Caishang had a smile playing at her lips, she looked at Li Xian, waiting to see how he would defend her. Li Xian said, "You had the advantage in numbers, had my wife agreed to negotiate with you, yet during a misunderstanding, you suddenly attacked, my wife, being extremely delicate, what if she got hurt even slightly?"

Li Xian continued, "Besides, your Sword Sect is inflexible and stubborn, are you reasonable people? Xiao Wanjian, Elder Xiao, even admitted himself to be a coarse person. Clearly unwilling to reason, only wishing to vent hatred and resentment. My wife, being extraordinarily intelligent, of course saw through this."

Xiao Wanjian, being pointedly named, found the speech utterly disrespectful. Being reprimanded by a younger generation, he was extremely angry, immediately rose, cursing, "You arrogant brat, we meant to..." He initially intended to say, "We meant to discuss with your wife, how dare you dictate terms." But the words barely left his mouth when he felt a resentful gaze cast at him, icy cold.

Reflecting on the current situation, Xiao Wanjian swallowed his words deeply and sat back down awkwardly. Wen Caishang remained silent, lightly nudging Li Xian with her toe, signaling him to continue.

Li Xian said, "Regarding the tomb matters, speaking of right and wrong, my wife is certainly innocent."

Wang Zongzheng sighed, "Brother Li, this duel has nothing to do with life or death. Matters of the tomb entail various rights and wrongs, yet in the Jianghu, right and wrong are just one part, good and evil are another, then there is loyalty, accountability... this matter requires a thorough resolution."

The elders nodded slightly. Li Xian frowned, "So, is this duel inevitable?" Hu Yueyue calmly replied, "It is inevitable. Brother Li is truly devoted to Madam Wen, a rare gentleman indeed, undoubtedly worried about your wife’s safety, hence your tension. There’s no need to worry, this duel is agreed to avoid fatality, as both sides bear faults, it truly is unnecessary to cause more harm. Only victory and defeat will determine right and wrong."

Li Xian asked, "What if we win?" Duan Yixin said, "It will prove that our Five Mountains Sword Sect was in grave error, the disciples’ loss was caused by us, and we shall not pursue Madam Wen further. Regarding the tomb matters which have been disrupted, each sect will present a renowned sword as a gift."

Li Xian said, "If it is a treasure sword of such caliber, it may not be too appealing?" Casually waving the ’Yunyang Sword.’ Xiao Wanjian’s face was dark with anger, "Naturally, it will be much better." He intended to test with the "Yunyang Sword".

Hou Yuande chimed in, "Madam Wen, as one well-versed and insightful, must know what kind of swords we refer to: Lake Mountain’s ’Swallowing Mist Sword’, Sun Mountain’s ’Forging Wind Sword’, Knot Mountain’s ’House Guardian Sword’, Yue Mountain’s ’Guan Cang Sword’, and Depart Mountain’s ’Fire Li Sword’. Such renowned swords and armament, notwithstanding Madam Wen, surely won’t be seen as worthless, right? All five Sword Sects presenting them together, their value is immeasurable, perhaps equivalent to... the Divine Weapon List’s divine weapons!"

Wen Caishang raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression calm and unreadable. The Five Mountains Sword Sect, founded on swords, indeed stored renowned swords and armaments within. For generations, the swords chose their master, passed down through time. Though high-ranking, the five leading elders possessed merely ordinary swords. Not due to insufficient qualifications or contributions... simply because the swords didn’t choose them.

Li Xian said, "What if we lose?" Hu Yueyue said, "If you lose, matters of the tomb bear shared faults, we request Madam Wen to provide some resolution to console the spirits of the fallen disciples."

Li Xian said, "What resolution?" Hu Yueyue said, "We ask Madam to establish a tomb and erect a monument for each of them, personally writing the epitaphs, with an apology in each, as a consolation to the departed souls." Though speaking simply, it’s incredibly difficult in practice. Establishing a tomb and erecting monuments require immense funds and resources; writing epitaphs, since transmitted through tombs, would tarnish her reputation.

Li Xian sighed, "In that case, you have already planned this well, the duel is inevitable?" Wang Zongzheng said, "Inevitable."

Li Xian said firmly, "Alright. But if a duel must be fought, I have to add one more condition."

Wen Caishang was surprised, wondering, "How odd, when did this rascal become so straightforward? A duel is their concern, so why comply straightforwardly with their terms? Though the renowned swords and armaments are not mundane, why would I be tempted? If they displease me, why wait for a duel? I could deal with them right now."