Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 13

“Uncle Li.” Shi Le’er stood up and walked to Li Zhenghai’s side. “Uncle Li, you’ve finally arrived.”

"Le'er, you look like you're having a lot of fun," Li Zhenghai said with a smile.

"Hehe... Uncle, everyone was just talking about your escort mission. Who exactly did you escort it to?" Shi Le'er asked curiously.

Li Zhenghai smiled but did not answer. He turned to the side and looked at the doorway.

All eyes followed him and fell on the person who entered.

He was a man in his early twenties, with slightly dark skin, dressed in simple clothes and straw sandals. At first glance, he looked no different from an ordinary farm man. However, he had handsome features, a calm expression, and none of the coarseness one might expect. He walked slowly in, carrying an air of arrogance that disregarded everything, as if everything in the hall was meaningless. He stopped, raised his eyes, and looked at the people in the hall.

Lady tide's face suddenly turned pale, looking extremely unpleasant.

“Mo Yun…” she murmured the name, her voice trembling.

A dispute

“Mo Yun…”

...

Mo Yun? Xiao Xiao was quite surprised. Wasn't that the second young master of Hero's Fortress who had been expelled from his family? She carefully examined the man. Having traveled extensively with her master since childhood, she had naturally developed a keen eye for people. Whether someone was rich or poor, she could tell at a glance. Although this Young Master Mo Yun was dressed in coarse linen and seemed quite destitute, judging from his face and physique, she knew he had never experienced hunger. Alas, she was the only truly poor person.

He was holding a wooden box, presumably the "Nine Emperors' Divine Artifact" everyone was talking about. The Qi family's renowned weapons were priceless. This Nine Emperors' Divine Artifact was probably worth a fortune. However, in this day and age, carrying such an item was tantamount to inviting trouble.

As Xiao Xiao was sighing, she heard Lady tide shout, "You scoundrel! You're no longer a member of Hero's Fortress, yet you dare to come back!"

Beside her, Wei Ying's expression was complicated. He looked at Mo Yun quietly, without saying a word.

Mo Yun slowly spoke, "Madam, there's no need to be angry. I didn't return as 'Wei Cheng'..." He glanced at the wooden box in his hand and said, "I'm here to find someone."

Madam tide frowned. "Looking for someone?"

Mo Yun nodded, "As long as that person is found, Mo Yun will leave."

"Alright." Madam tide calmed herself and slowly sat down. "Who are you looking for?"

Mo Yun looked around and said, "What I'm looking for is an orphan girl that Madam tide adopted eight years ago in the Jianghuai area..."

Madam Xi's expression shifted slightly. "An orphan? Eight years ago, the Jianghuai region was devastated by floods, leaving hundreds and thousands of orphans. Hero's Fortress, with its benevolent spirit, provided relief to the victims, and at that time, I adopted countless orphans in my name. Young Master Mo Yun, may I ask which one you are looking for?"

Mo Yun frowned. "If Madam is unwilling to reveal her, I will have to find her myself."

"Hmph! If you're looking for someone, why choose the Odd Goods Fair?" Madam Xi said coldly. "I think you're clearly using the pretense of looking for someone to provoke us! Guards, show the guest out."

As soon as she finished speaking, her disciples immediately stepped forward and surrounded Mo Yun.

Mo Yun raised his eyes. "Madam, I have no intention of offending you. I am simply following my master's orders to find this person. I would be grateful if you could do me this favor."

"Numerous excuses. I've already said, there's no such person in Hero's Fortress. Show them out!" Lady tide waved her hand and said coldly.

Upon hearing this, the disciples immediately attacked. Mo Yun, holding the wooden box in his right hand, fought back with one hand. His movements were swift and agile. In just a few moves, he blocked the disciples' attacks.

Xiao Xiao frowned slightly. Mo Yun's martial arts were extremely mixed. He followed the Daoist Shaoyin style of footwork, but the small grappling techniques he used with his left hand were clearly the signature moves of the Song family of the northern foothills of Wuyi Mountain. Such a mixture made it impossible to identify which school or sect he belonged to. However, the fact that he could integrate these different styles of martial arts showed that this young master Mo Yun's skill was extraordinary.

Before Xiao Xiao could think for long, Mo Yun had already broken through the encirclement and landed in front of Madam Xi with a leap.

Lady Xi was shocked and hurriedly got up.

Wei Ying immediately attacked Mo Yun. Mo Yun merely dodged, not retaliating. But in just a few moves, everyone could see who was stronger.

Wei Ying noticed this as well, stopped what she was doing, and stood still.

“…Second Brother.” He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Mo Yun lowered his eyes, "I dare not accept such praise."

Wei Ying's eyes held a hint of sadness, but it vanished in an instant. He reached out to stop the disciples who were about to attack and asked, "What does the person you're looking for look like?"

Mo Yun looked at him and shook his head.

"Then, is there a token?"

Mo Yun still shook his head. He looked at Madam tide, whose fear had not subsided, and said, "My master only said that the woman's birth chart is: Bingchen, Bingshen, Yiyou, Renwu."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ying turned around and asked, "Mother, is there such a person?"

Lady tide's face turned pale and cold. "There are many women in Hero's Fortress. How can we draw a conclusion based solely on their birth dates?"

"Is it that we can't reach a conclusion, or is it that Madam refuses to hand over the person?" Mo Yun asked, his voice cold.

"Hand her over? Young Master Mo Yun, are you here to find someone or to arrest a criminal?" Madam Xi looked at him and said, "Even if I could hand her over, there's no guarantee she'd go with you."

Mo Yun frowned. “I’m not taking her away. I’m just entrusting this wooden box to her on my master’s orders. Of course…” He drew his sword from his waist. “My master ordered that if she owes Hero’s Fortress a debt of gratitude, this ‘Mianyan’ sword is for her to redeem herself. Please do me this favor, Madam.”

An uproar erupted in the hall.

Xiao Xiao's eyes widened. "Min Yan" is one of the weapons of the Qi family. Legend has it that it is the masterpiece of Qi Han, the current head of the Qi family who devoted his life to forging swords. It is a 50-foot-3-inch steel ring-pommel sword, and no other sword in the world can surpass it in terms of both toughness and sharpness.

Trading such a peerless sword for a woman? It seems that woman is no ordinary person. Moreover, everyone here knows that the wooden box in Mo Yun's hand is most likely the cargo escorted by Xing Feng, personally entrusted by Qi Han, and very likely contains the "Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts." Since this wooden box is also to be given to that woman, she clearly has a connection with the Qi family. Xiao Xiao counted on her fingers: Bingchen, Bingshen, Yiyou, Renwu—that woman is only seventeen years old. What exactly is her relationship with Qi Han?

"Hahaha..." Madam Xi laughed, "It seems your master is Qi Han?"

“Exactly,” Mo Yun replied.

"Does your master truly believe that 'Qi Family Weapons' can buy everything in the world?" Madam Xi's tone became serious. "Young Master Mo Yun, I am not a member of the martial world. To me, weapons are like needles to you all. Forgive my ignorance, but your knife is worthless to me."

When Xiaoxiao heard this, she suddenly felt that Madam tide was a good person. This thought was very strange, but she just couldn't help thinking it.

Everyone knows that Qi Han, the last descendant of the Qi family, has an eccentric personality. Rumor has it that besides his peculiar habit of only forging swords, he also established an unwritten rule: he would never sell any weapons he forged, but would exchange them for other items. Over a decade ago, there was a saying in the martial arts world: "Qi family weapons are priceless. Their superiority is truly revealed through barter." Legend has it that Qi Han's temperament was unpredictable; what he wanted to exchange depended entirely on his mood. Lost martial arts manuals, beautiful Jiangnan gardens, jewels, jade, calligraphy, paintings, antiques… anything he fancied, regardless of its value, he was willing to trade for weapons. Among these, the most famous was his exchange of his short sword "Night Cockroach" for Yan Ji, the concubine of the young master of Jiyu Manor, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Many people throughout the land have celebrated this story as a beautiful tale of a talented scholar and a beautiful woman. However, the master once sighed and laughed, saying: "Not everything can be exchanged. The Qi family's famous weapons are nothing but weapons. How can they be compared to living people?"

At that time, Xiao Xiao was still young and had wild thoughts. She ran to ask her master: If one day Qi Han offered her weapons in exchange for Xiao Xiao, would you agree? Her master immediately smiled, patted Xiao Xiao's head, and said: If it's the complete set of the Nine Emperor Divine Weapons, I'll consider it.

Upon hearing this, Xiaoxiao immediately burst into tears. Her master tried to comfort her for a long time, but she wouldn't stop. Now, however, Xiaoxiao felt a warmth in her heart when she thought about it. He who possesses the Nine Emperor Artifacts possesses the world; in her master's heart, she was equivalent to the entire world… That's what her master meant back then, wasn't it?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile and lower her head.

Hearing Madam Xi's words, Mo Yun was somewhat surprised. He looked at the "Min Yan" in his hand and frowned slightly. He paused, then said loudly, "Since that's the case, Mo Yun has no choice but to try another approach." He looked at the martial arts practitioners around him and said, "Everyone here, whoever can find that woman for me, I will give 'Min Yan' to them."

The hall suddenly erupted in noise.

Lady Xi's face turned ashen. "Mo Yun! What do you take Hero's Fortress for?!"

Mo Yun smiled faintly, “Madam, I’m not familiar with the rules of Hero’s Fortress. But I’ve heard a little about the rules of the Rare Goods Fair. As long as both parties agree, the seller can offer any terms.” He raised the knife in his hand, “What I want to sell is this ‘Mianyan’.”

Lady Xi trembled slightly, her anger written all over her face.

Suddenly, Zhao Yan, who was beside her, reached out to support her. "Madam? Madam, are you alright? Someone, Madam has fainted!"

The maids on either side immediately stepped forward and surrounded Lady tide.

Mo Yun frowned as he looked at the chaotic scene.

Zhao Yan, still anxious, called out, "Quickly help Madam back to her room!"

The maids immediately helped Lady Xi up and withdrew. Zhao Yan followed last, glancing at Mo Yun as she passed him. Her eyes were filled with resentment and venom; deep hatred lingered in her pupils, chilling to the bone.

Mo Yun was slightly startled, not understanding why she looked at him like that. He couldn't help but turn around and watch them leave.

At this moment, Shi Le'er stood up from her chair, walked a few steps to Mo Yun's side, and called out, "Brother Mo Yun!"

Mo Yun's confusion was written all over his face.

"Brother Mo Yun, don't you remember me?" Shi Le'er reached out and took Mo Yun's hand, her smile as radiant as a flower. "I am Shi Le'er, the city lord of Taiping City, who was betrothed to Hero's Fortress since childhood!"

Mo Yun shook his head, "I don't remember..."

Shi Le'er's smile froze. "It's okay if you don't remember, it's good that Le'er remembers. Brother Mo Yun, you're finally back. Le'er missed you so much."

A chill ran down Xiao Xiao's spine. Mo Yun, the second young master of Hero's Fortress, had been expelled from the family ten years ago. At that time, Shi Le'er was only three years old. Those words, "I remember," and "I really want to see you," were utter nonsense… It seems that after Lian Zhao, it's Mo Yun's turn now? Uh… Shi Le'er's determination not to marry Wei Ying is truly resolute…

"Brother Mo Yun, don't worry. Even if Madam Xi won't help you, I definitely will. The person you're looking for, Le'er will definitely find for you." Shi Le'er turned to look at Wei Ying. "You agree, Brother Wenxi, right?"

Wei Ying looked at Mo Yun and nodded.

Mo Yun avoided his gaze and remained silent.

Shi Le'er naturally sensed the awkward atmosphere. She smiled and said, "Brother Mo Yun, you must be tired after your long journey. Le'er will have someone prepare some food and wine to welcome you home." She took Mo Yun's hand, "Come~"

Mo Yun was somewhat surprised, but didn't know how to refuse. So she was pulled away by her.

Xia Yun and Yue Huaijiang followed silently.

Xiao Xiao, being self-aware, followed along. However, she could never forget that at that moment, everyone's eyes in the hall were focused on one thing: a small wooden box, which might contain the world-renowned Nine Emperor Divine Artifacts.

Master's words echoed so clearly in my mind.

The Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts must never be reproduced in the world.

A secret

Xiao Xiao managed to get through Shi Le'er's bizarre welcoming banquet and hurriedly returned to her room. She leaned against the door, her brow furrowed. On the table, her account book still lay quietly.

The Nine Emperor Artifacts. Wherever such things appear, they will cause conflict. Hero's Fortress is no longer a safe place to stay. But… what exactly are these Nine Emperor Artifacts that Master has mentioned so many times? And why can't they reappear in the world? If we knew these things, would we be able to find out who killed Master?…

She slowly walked to the table and gently stroked the ledger. Then, she smiled faintly.

“Master…” she murmured to herself, “You never intended for me to find the murderer, did you?… Xiao Xiao understands, Xiao Xiao won’t let you worry.”

She took a deep breath, closed the ledger, then walked to the bedside, lay down, and closed her eyes.

My master once said that when you can't figure something out, just sleep. When you wake up, you might find the answer.

Gradually, her heart calmed down. She slowly drifted off to sleep, and when she woke up, it was already dark. Moonlight streamed through the window, falling on the bedside. Rubbing her eyes, she slowly got up. She was incredibly thirsty after her nap. She groggily walked to the table and poured herself some tea. However, the next moment, she spat out the tea. There was clearly food on the table. She immediately rushed to the door—oh no! She hadn't locked the door! Aaaaaaah…

She immediately pushed open the door, and then froze.

Lian Zhao was sitting on the veranda outside her door. When he saw her come out, he was slightly startled and stood up.

"Miss Zuo," he said.

Xiao Xiao stiffly asked, "Lian... Master Lian... what are you doing here?"

Lian Zhao was slightly embarrassed and said, "It's nothing... Miss Zuo, although this is Hero's Fortress, you're a single woman, so it's best to be careful." He smiled and said, "It's getting late, you should get some rest. Farewell."

"Get some rest? She just woke up..." Xiao Xiao watched him walk away and sighed. Suddenly, something else occurred to her. Did that "better safe than sorry" mean she hadn't locked the door? And he was guarding it for her outside? Really?... She couldn't help but laugh. In this day and age, are there still such good people?

However, now is not the time to think about who is good and who is bad. Xiao Xiao glanced at the night sky; indeed, it was getting late. She had taken a nap, and her mind was perfectly clear; all her previous doubts had vanished. She turned and went back to her room, putting the account book on the table back in her lap, and picked up her bag and sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument). Before leaving, she grabbed a piece of pork rib from the food on the table and took a bite.