Chapter 52: Narrative Spreading In the World

The rhythmic slap of skin against skin echoed through the secluded nook, a stark contrast to the tranquil sounds of nature just outside the cave.

Wang Li, fueled by a potent cocktail of relief, exhaustion, and raw passion, surrendered to the moment with his beautiful cousin Xiangyi.

Meanwhile, oblivious to their passionate encounter, a narrative was taking root across the vast expanse of the cultivation world.

Fueled by Ye Fan and the Ouyang Family, rumors swirled like dust devils in a desert.

The Ouyang Family, having reached the site of Ye Fan's previous clash with Wang Li and Xiangyi, had spun a twisted tale.

According to them, it was Wang Li and Xiangyi who had unleashed demonic energy and employed the dark puppetry arts of the infamous Iron Hammer Sect, a notorious demonic sect.

It was Ye Fan who had helped them reach this conclusion and spread this narrative.

His goal was simple: to paint Wang Li and Xiangyi as villains, to turn the righteous sects and nations against them, leaving them isolated and ostracized. News, like a wildfire, spread quickly through the cultivation world. The narrative twisted by Ye Fan traveled at breakneck speed, reaching the ears of esteemed clans, powerful sects, and even prominent nations.

Days later, nestled within the cave, Wang Li and Xiangyi finally learned of this fabricated story. It was Xia Qingwu, his beloved fiancée, who sent a communication talisman, her sweet voice echoing with concern. Hearing the fabricated accusations, Xiangyi's fiery spirit ignited.

"That lying snake, Ye Fan!" she fumed, her voice laced with anger. "He's twisting the truth and making us look like demonic villains!" Her fists clenched, the urge to confront Ye Fan and pummel him into the ground burning bright in her eyes.

Wang Li, however, remained calm amidst the storm. He gently placed a hand on Xiangyi's shoulder, his touch a soothing balm.

"Anger won't solve this, Xiangyi," he said calmly. "We need a plan, a way to turn this against him."

Pulling away slightly, he met her gaze. A glint of determination flickered in his eyes.

"We need to force Ye Fan to reveal his true colors," he declared. "We need him to use those demonic techniques in front of a large audience."

Xiangyi raised an eyebrow, skepticism lacing her voice. "Easier said than done, Li. Ye Fan's not a fool. He wouldn't use demonic arts in broad daylight."

Wang Li leaned closer, a playful smile gracing his lips. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.

"Difficult, yes," he conceded. "But not impossible. We just need the right trap, a trap so enticing that even the cautious Ye Fan can't resist the bait."

The next few hours were spent in hushed whispers and strategizing. The plan they crafted was audacious, a gamble that hinged on Ye Fan's arrogance and their own ability to manipulate the situation.

The first step, Wang Li explained, was to reveal their location. Not in a stronghold of the righteous sects, but in a neutral city, governed by a family that maintained a balanced approach, siding with neither the righteous nor the demonic.

"News will travel fast," Wang Li said. "And who better to deliver the news than Qingwu herself?"

Xiangyi's eyes widened in understanding. "A communication talisman from Qingwu, mentioning a sighting of someone from the Xia Family spotting you in that city," she murmured. "Ye Fan wouldn't hesitate. He'd rush there like a moth to a flame, oblivious to the fact that it's outside righteous territory."

With a sense of relief, he oversaw the transfer of his aunts to the Xia delegation.

They were whisked away to a hidden Xia residence situated within the Broken Sword Kingdom, a neutral territory far from the reach of the righteous sects.

Now alone, Wang Li and Xiangyi mounted their Flying Swords.

The city of Iron Willow Stronghold, the neutral haven they had chosen for their risky gambit, beckoned on the horizon.

The wind whipped past them, carrying the weight of their audacious plan.

They were ready to turn the tide, to expose Ye Fan's lies, but facing him head-on would be foolhardy. They needed a way to lure him out, a way to force his hand.

"Let's go, Xiangyi," Wang Li declared, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Time to set the bait."

They soared towards Iron Willow Stronghold, a city known for its bustling trade and neutrality in the ongoing conflict between the righteous and demonic sects.

As they soared through the sky, Wang Li broke the silence with a mischievous grin. "If this trap goes according to plan, Xiangyi," he began, "I might just spend a few days with Qingwu after everything is settled."

Xiangyi's eyes narrowed playfully. "Ah, so you're already thinking about rewards your lover?" she teased, a hint of jealousy lacing her voice. Despite their unconventional relationship, she couldn't help but feel a pang when Qingwu entered the equation.

"Well," she sighed, "can't blame you. Being stuck with just your hot cousin gets boring after a while, right?" Her voice held a hint of mock self-pity.

Wang Li chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Boring? Xiangyi, you're the one I've spent the most... quality time."

Xiangyi's cheeks flushed a faint pink. "Maybe," she conceded with a playful roll of her eyes, "but it just sucks," she muttered, "we can't exactly shout our relationship to the world."

Their familial ties made things awkward, to say the least.

Wang Li's grin widened. He wasn't about to argue with that. But a touch of seriousness crept into his voice.

"Look," he said, his voice sincere, "Qingwu deserves her share too. She's been incredibly loyal, sticking her neck out for us despite the risks."

Xiangyi sighed, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "You're right," she conceded. "Qingwu has been amazing."

A mischievous glint returned to her eyes, however. "So," she purred, "how about we make the most of this journey? Before we reach Iron Willow Stronghold, I mean."

Wang Li grinned, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Now you're talking," he replied, leaving no doubt about his approval.

The journey that followed was a whirlwind of passionate encounters. Every time they needed to rest and replenish their spiritual energy, they sought out secluded nooks in the landscape. These "breaks" were anything but restful, filled instead with the sounds of their heated exchanges.

Their arrival in Iron Willow Stronghold was a stark contrast to the heat of their journey. The bustling city, a beacon of neutrality in the tumultuous world, was a perfect stage for their daring play. But they knew the real drama was yet to unfold. Would Ye Fan take the bait? Would they succeed in exposing his lies and clearing their names? Only time would tell.