Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 33

She blinked slightly, avoiding his gaze. Damn, this guy doesn't seem easy to fool. But right now, if she was going to lie, she had to see it through.

“Ah, you misheard! ‘Master’ and ‘Waterman’ were pronounced too quickly, how could you hear clearly? I was calling him ‘Waterman’!” Xiao Xiao replied sincerely.

The man didn't argue with her, but asked, "Is your master a 'ghost master'?"

Xiao Xiao stood frozen in place, timidly saying, "'Ghost Master'? I've never heard of that..."

"I meant no harm, I just wanted to find out where my brother is."

The man spoke in an extremely calm tone, but Xiao Xiao was completely terrified.

My elder brother?! He's Master's younger brother? Impossible! Master has never mentioned him... But Master never talks about himself either. This person is so similar to Master; if we could say they're siblings, it would make sense... Heavens above, if that's really the case, then isn't he my martial uncle?

Xiao Xiao looked at him, pondering. But how could such a thing exist? She had only learned a few days ago that her master was a "ghost master," and now a senior uncle had suddenly appeared—there must be something fishy going on! Moreover, if what he said was true, that he was her master's younger brother, why was he so cold when she called him "master" last night?

It's fake! Human hearts are unpredictable; be careful!

Xiao Xiao looked at him blankly, "Great hero, I don't understand what you're saying at all... Are you here to find your relatives? But I don't know the 'Ghost Master'."

The man frowned slightly. "Young lady, to be honest, it's good for both of us."

"I...I uttered not a single falsehood...Great hero, what exactly do you want?" Xiao Xiao replied with a mournful tone.

"Alright, let me ask you, is your master named Han Qing, forty-one years old, and skilled at playing the sanxian?" the man asked.

Xiao Xiao feigned ignorance, "Huh? Your older brother's surname is Han? And he's a street singer?"

She had barely finished speaking when she felt a weight on her shoulder. The man's fingers tightened slightly, and Xiao Xiao felt a dull pain in her shoulder.

"Great...Great hero, let's talk this out..." Xiao Xiao pleaded hastily.

"Just tell the truth, and I won't hurt you in the slightest." His tone remained indifferent.

"I...I've already told the truth..." Xiao Xiao said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Before she could finish speaking, the pain in her shoulder intensified.

Xiao Xiao was heartbroken. What the hell! How could someone be so unreasonable! She hadn't provoked him, she'd just called him the wrong name. Did he have to treat her like this? Even if he really was her martial uncle, she would rather die than admit it!

Just as Xiao Xiao was thinking about how to get rid of this guy, an arrow flew towards her. The man was alert, let go of her hand, turned around, and caught the arrow.

"Lian Zhao!" Xiao Xiao was extremely excited to see her savior. She jumped off the ship's side and ran to Lian Zhao's side.

Lian Zhao pulled her behind him, holding his bow and looking at the man. "Killing people last night wasn't enough, and today you're bullying a weak woman. Is this what you call the code of the martial world is—shameless?"

The man threw down the arrow in his hand and said, "You misunderstand, sir. I only wish to ask her a few questions."

“Just because you ask doesn’t mean she has to answer.” Lian Zhao retorted.

Xiao Xiao stood behind Lian Zhao, nodding repeatedly. "Exactly! Who says the person being asked has to answer?"

"She is my junior disciple, and there is a proper order of seniority. I asked her a question, and she naturally had to answer it," the man said matter-of-factly.

Xiao Xiao almost jumped up when she heard that, "I...I don't know him!"

Her answer immediately created a tense atmosphere.

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but feel a little regretful. How could she be so unlucky? It's absolutely true that loose lips sink ships! Just as she was about to cry, she saw several fast boats appear on the river, heading straight for the post ship.

As they approached the ship's railing, the people on the speedboat leaped onto the deck. Upon seeing the man, they all bowed in respect.

Xiao Xiao recognized their attire. Light blue robes embroidered with white cloud patterns. Steel chains around their wrists, long swords strapped to their backs. There was only one sect in the world dressed like that…

"The Seventy-Two Islands of the East China Sea..."

Xiao Xiao immediately wanted to slap herself after blurting it out.

The man smiled slightly and clasped his hands in greeting.

"I am Wen Su, a disciple of the Seventy-Two Ring Island Sect. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Xiao Xiao wanted to look up to the sky and sigh... Well, this is another formidable opponent...

Three-tenths of a lie

The East China Sea has 72 islands.

Anyone living along the coast of the East China Sea knows this sect. As the name suggests, the Seventy-Two Islands of the East China Sea consist of seventy-two small islands in the East China Sea. Initially, they sailed together to defend against pirates. Later, the islands shared martial arts, gradually growing in strength. In the past, when the Shenxiao Sect was powerful, the islands of the East China Sea submitted to it. Legend has it that the Shenxiao Sect's leader, Chonghe Daoist, greatly valued these islands, imparting to them the entire "Mysterious Moon Heart Sutra," the internal energy technique of the Taiyin Flow. Since then, the islands of the East China Sea have become even more renowned in the martial arts world. They have thousands of disciples and hundreds of warships, truly dominating the East China Sea and reigning supreme on the waves. Even now, their power extends to the river transport system.

Xiao Xiao looked helplessly at the man who might be her "junior uncle," her heart filled with mixed emotions. Why was she so unlucky? First it was Taiping City and Hero's Fortress, and now it was the Seventy-Two Islands of the East China Sea. What kind of fate did she have? Was she really going to provoke every single one of the most prestigious sects in the martial arts world?

"Senior Brother." One of the disciples from the East Sea stepped forward and spoke. Judging from his attire, he was slightly different from the other disciples, and his weapon was not a long saber but two swords. His expression was somewhat timid, and his tone was extremely respectful.

Wen Su glanced at him, his expression completely indifferent.

"Uh, I'm not familiar with the currents of the Yangtze River, so..." the man quickly explained.

"No need to explain." Wen Su gently raised his hand. "Place those people's bodies in the rear cabin and take them back to report."

"Yes..." the man replied helplessly.

The disciples, as if granted a pardon, rushed to the rear cabin in a frenzy.

She swallowed hard, realizing something immediately. This man was definitely not cut out to be her "senior uncle." At this point, it was best to distance herself and stay away from danger!

Xiao Xiao immediately pulled Lian Zhao up, "Let's go too."

Lian Zhao was somewhat puzzled, but he still let her lead him away.

However, Wen Su turned around and blocked the two of them.

Seeing this, Lian Zhao frowned and said, "She already said she doesn't know you, what else do you want?"

Wen Su remained calm and said slowly, "I have been separated from my elder brother for many years, so it is not strange that she does not recognize me at first."

Lian Zhao looked at him and said, "So that means you're not familiar with her? And how did you come to that conclusion?"

Wen Su glanced at Xiao Xiao and said, "I only need to ask her a few more questions to confirm whether her master is Han..."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoxiao immediately rushed over, shouting, "Uncle-Master!!! You really are my Uncle-Master!!! I've finally found you!!!"

She tugged at Wen Su's sleeve, her face filled with tearful gratitude. Heavens above! What if Wen Su revealed that her master was a "ghost master"? Whether true or false, given her master's feud with the Lian family, Lian Zhao would surely suspect her. She'd finally managed to deceive an innocent young man; was it all for naught?! ...Sigh, now she could only accept her fate and go along with this "uncle-master" for the time being!

Wen Su shook off her hand, his expression still indifferent.

"Uncle-Master, I've been looking for you for so long... I didn't even recognize you just now, please don't be angry with me..." Xiao Xiao apologized pitifully.

Wen Su glanced at her, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Xiao Xiao naturally noticed the hint of disdain, but she didn't care. She excitedly turned to Lian Zhao and said, "He really is my martial uncle! It was all a misunderstanding. I have a lot to say to him, so I'll come find you later!"

After saying this, Xiao looked at Wen Su with great sincerity, "Uncle-Master, shall we go back to our room and talk?"

Wen Su chuckled and nodded.

...

The two entered the cabin, and as soon as they stepped inside, Xiao Xiao closed the door tightly.

Seeing this, Wen Su still wore a disdainful smile. He sat down at the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and said, "What do you have to say?"

Xiao Xiao turned around with a serious expression and walked step by step to Wen Su. Then, with a "thump," she knelt down.

"Great—Hero—" Xiao Xiao cried, tears streaming down her face.

Wen Su was startled, but his expression remained calm, though his hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

"Great hero, I have no grudge against you, please let me go... I am just a wandering performer, I cannot afford to climb the seventy-two islands of the East China Sea..." Every word of Xiao Xiao's words was sincere and filled with grief and indignation.

Wen Su put down his teacup and said coldly, "Didn't you admit that you were my junior disciple? What are you saying about me letting you go? Isn't that ridiculous?"

With her innocent eyes wide open, she said, "I... just now..."

"You don't want the young master of the Lian family to know that you are a disciple of the 'Ghost Master,' right?" Wen Su said calmly.

Xiao Xiao looked at him with tears in her eyes. Could it be that he deliberately brought this up in front of Lian Zhao? Good heavens, he's definitely not someone to be trifled with.

"You truly are my elder brother's disciple." Wen Su looked at her and said, "If that's the case, why did you make excuses at the beginning?"

Sigh, they're already asking questions in an elder's tone...

Xiao Xiao blinked her eyes timidly and replied, "The world is a dangerous place... I... how would I know you're not lying to me..."

"What good would it do me to lie to you?" Wen Su glanced at her.

"There's no benefit to it," Xiao Xiao answered honestly.

This straightforward answer angered Wen Su, who frowned and shouted, "Get up and speak!"

Xiao Xiao was startled and immediately stood up. She finally understood why the disciples from the East Sea had been so trembling earlier. This Wen Su was not easy to serve at all.

"Knowing that lying to you won't do you any good, why are you doubting me?" Wen Su asked with dissatisfaction.

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, "Uh... my master's surname isn't Wen..." she said softly.

Wen Su raised his eyes and said calmly, "My elder brother and I are both orphans, nameless and without surnames. Fortunately, we were adopted by the Shenxiao Sect. My elder brother entered the orthodox Shenxiao Sect, while I was taught by the East Sea Sect. Our surnames followed our respective masters. That's how it is."

After listening, Xiao Xiao felt that it made some sense, so she nodded.

"Alright. I won't pursue the matter any further." Wen Su's tone softened slightly. "Where is my elder brother now?"

Hearing his question, Xiaoxiao hesitated again. However, after some thought, she couldn't see any difference between telling him and not telling him. If Wen Su was truly her master's younger brother, it wouldn't make sense to deliberately conceal it. Thinking this, she answered, "Replying to Uncle-Master… Master… has already passed away…"

Wen Su was silent for a moment, then asked coldly, "How did you die?"

Xiao Xiao then honestly recounted the cause of her master's death.

Wen Su's face was cold and his eyes were unfathomable.

“Nether Thunder Palm…” He silently repeated the name of the martial art, frowning. After a long while, he calmly spoke, “In that case, you shall come back to the East Sea with me.”

Xiao Xiao was stunned on the spot, "Huh?!"

Wen Su looked at her with anger in his eyes, "What, do I have to say it again?"

Xiao Xiao shook her head vigorously, "I wouldn't dare. I... I just wanted to say, this... this isn't a good idea..." Xiao Xiao's eyes darted around, and she made up a story, "I... I also want to find out who killed Master..."

Wen Su picked up her tea. "With your skills, what good is finding the murderer? You're a young girl wandering the martial world alone. How can my elder brother, in heaven, rest in peace? I will naturally avenge my brother. Come back to the East Sea with me and practice your martial arts diligently."

Martial arts training?! Xiao Xiao was on the verge of tears. How arduous would that be? Back when her master taught her martial arts, it was always haphazard, like playing around. How could she possibly endure this real, rigorous training?

"Uncle-Master...I..." Xiao Xiao wanted to say a few more words, but was ruthlessly interrupted.

"No need for further explanation, let's do it this way." After saying this, Wen Su got up and left.