Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 36

Hearing her question, Lian Zhao's smile faded. "He went to the backyard with that old man..."

"Oh." Xiao Xiao nodded and sat back down in her chair.

“Xiaoxiao…” Lian Zhao said hesitantly, “There are some things I’ll say, please don’t be angry.”

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao blinked.

Lian Zhao's expression was serious. "Your martial uncle is probably not a good person..."

She sighed softly. Yes, she thought so too. But hearing it from Lian Zhao was rather strange.

"He's a member of the martial arts world, and his methods are indeed a bit ruthless..." Xiao Xiao said helplessly.

“That’s not what I meant.” Lian Zhao looked at her. “I meant that he might be a threat to you.”

Xiao Xiao was stunned. "Huh? He's trying to harm me?"

"Hmm." Lian Zhao's eyes darted around, hesitating as if he wanted to say something but then stopped himself. "...Anyway, just be careful of him."

Xiao Xiao was confused. Lian Zhao and Wen Su were complete strangers, and given Lian Zhao's personality, why would he speak ill of another person for no reason? Could it be true? But Wen Su was her martial uncle, he shouldn't harm her... No, the world is dangerous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Lian Zhao was right, she really needed to be careful!

Just as she was thinking this, something suddenly stirred within her. She looked up at Lian Zhao and asked, "You know to remind me to be wary of others, but what about you?... Have you ever considered that I might not be a good person either?"

Lian Zhao smiled and shook his head. "If you had intended to harm me, I would have died back in Hero's Fortress."

“What if it’s not life-threatening?” Xiao Xiao said, “maybe it’s a scam to steal money…” Xiao Xiao couldn’t bring herself to say the last word.

Lian Zhao still smiled, "It was me who insisted on taking responsibility."

"So, what if I'm playing hard to get?" Xiao Xiao continued.

Lian Zhao was silent for a moment before speaking, "There are indeed many things about you that I know nothing about. But marriage is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Since I have chosen you, I will trust you. If I can't even do that, how can we talk about growing old together?"

The short story was rendered speechless.

After Lian Zhao finished speaking, he smiled slightly and avoided her gaze. He also sensed that the atmosphere was strange, so he changed the subject, "By the way, Xiao Xiao, why do you carry realgar with you?"

Xiao Xiao snapped out of her daze, "Huh?"

“We encountered walking corpses on the river, and you used realgar to kill the Gu worms, didn’t you?” Lian Zhao reminded him. “I thought ‘corpse-manipulating Gu’ was just a legend, but I didn’t expect it to be true…”

"Corpse-manipulating Gu?" Xiao Xiao suddenly remembered. In the chaos, she hadn't recalled it. That's right, her master had mentioned that "Gu" was an evil entity, and if you saw it, you should stay far away. Back when the Shennong family was still in power, there was a "Gu Poison School" within the main branch. Disciples who practiced this art were skilled in using Gu. Legend had it that they could not only cure diseases with Gu, but also make corpses move. It was called "Corpse-manipulating Gu"... However, this school was too evil and was gradually ostracized by its fellow disciples, eventually declining. Could today's events be related to Shennong?

"I...I was just in a hurry and just grabbed whatever was available to throw it..." Xiao Xiao said, trying to deflect the question.

“Regardless, it’s a fact that you saved everyone,” Lian Zhao replied. “However, I find that old man somewhat suspicious…”

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao was even more surprised. This Lian Zhao actually found two people suspicious in just one day?

Lian Zhao frowned slightly and said, "Your martial uncle probably sensed something was amiss, which is why he deliberately stayed here tonight... Be careful tonight."

Xiao Xiao looked at him and nodded earnestly. She finally understood one thing: it wasn't that he didn't have doubts, but rather that once he made up his mind, he chose to believe... But, was she, in this state, worthy of being believed?

The three souls are still unsettled [Middle]

When it was time to eat, Wen Su and the old man returned. The five of them sat together at the table, and the atmosphere was slightly awkward.

The girl, completely oblivious to anything amiss, looked smugly at the food on the table and said happily, "Eat up!"

Xiao Xiao held her chopsticks, wondering if she could even eat this. Remembering the "corpse-manipulating Gu" from before, she really couldn't bring herself to eat. She glanced at Lian Zhao sitting beside her, then at Wen Su sitting opposite her; neither of them had even picked up their chopsticks. ...So, it really is inedible?

At that moment, the girl quickly picked up a mouthful of food, swallowed it rapidly, and chewed it with a grateful expression.

The old man frowned and said, "I'm sorry, everyone, this girl has no manners."

“A young girl’s innocence and naivety are not a flaw,” Wen Su replied calmly, picking up his chopsticks.

Seeing this, Xiao Xiao knew that the food hadn't been tampered with, so she started eating with peace of mind.

Today is Cold Food Festival, and she has only eaten jujube cakes since last night, so she was naturally excited to see meat. This old man doesn't even observe Cold Food Festival; he seems to be an eccentric person. She diligently ate her rice, thinking as she ate.

"I've already cleaned the guest rooms. My benefactors, please have a good rest after your meal," the old man said, glancing at Xiaoxiao. "However, my home is small, so I'll have to trouble you to share the night with my maid..."

Before the old man could finish speaking, Xiaoxiao froze. This was a tiger's den! If she were alone today, she was doomed!

"No!" "No!"

Before she could even make an excuse, she heard two different voices simultaneously rejecting her. She looked up and saw Lian Zhao and Wen Su staring at each other with hostility.

The girl asked, puzzled, "Why not? Do you expect her to share a room with you?"

Lian Zhao spoke up, "She is my wife. It's only right that I take care of her when we're out together."

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment, wondering if he had omitted the "not yet married" part.

Wen Su looked at Lian Zhao with some surprise. But then he said disdainfully, "I am her senior uncle, and I will pass on my sect's internal energy to her tonight."

Xiao Xiao was even more stunned. Practicing martial arts at night? What an excuse...

"Wow, I don't want to share a room with you guys!" The girl shook her head repeatedly upon hearing this.

The old man spoke up, "My two benefactors, it's more convenient for the young lady to share a room..."

"no!"

It was another instance of unanimous agreement.

She swallowed hard, then said timidly, "Uh, actually, I can sleep here..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wen Su gave her a cold glare. She had no choice but to shut up and eat.

"I'll stay with you." At that moment, Lian Zhao spoke up and said those words.

Xiao Xiao paused, her chopsticks still as she ate her rice. She looked up at Lian Zhao.

Lian Zhao smiled slightly, then turned back to continue eating.

“Alright, I’ll transfer my internal energy to you right here…” Wen Su said after a moment of silence.

I gave a slight shudder. No, really? Spending the whole night with these two? How awkward!

However, her lamentations had no effect. Unable to persuade the two, the old man had no choice but to give up. The young girl, on the other hand, couldn't help but keep laughing, a laugh full of profound meaning.

After finishing her meal, Xiaoxiao conscientiously offered the only two chairs to Wen Su and Lian Zhao, then obediently sat on the threshold, feigning admiration for the peach blossoms under the moonlight. She hugged her knees, her brow furrowed in worry. She hadn't expected to sense the hostility between the two even from this distance. What deep-seated hatred could possibly exist between them? Even if the imperial court and the East Sea were sworn enemies, surely these two wouldn't harbor such a deep grudge? Poor her, caught in the middle…

No matter how complicated the affairs of the martial world are, they can't compare to the complexities of human relationships. Speaking of martial world affairs, what exactly does this old man want? He initially seemed intent on threatening her to hand over the Divine Martial Token, but after encountering the walking corpse, his attitude suddenly changed. She initially thought he brought her to his home to steal the token, but since he brought Lian Zhao and Wen Su along, and he didn't force her to share a room with the girl earlier, it all seems like he has ulterior motives.

She took out the Divine Martial Token from her bosom and examined it carefully. The jade pendant was made of the finest green jade, with black tortoises carved at both ends, and the four characters "Stopping War is Martial Prowess" engraved in relief on it. According to the rules of the martial world, anyone who sees this token must lay down their sword and stop fighting.

Could it be that the old man intends to use this Divine Martial Token to save his life? It's not impossible, considering the zombies attacked him earlier. However, Shi Le'er also said that the Divine Martial Token is effective against gentlemen, not villains. Besides, those zombies don't understand anything. Even if he shows the token, what use is it? What kind of protection token is it… it can only be used when there are many people, and it costs five coins a month, it's really not worth it!

Suddenly, Xiao Xiao realized something. Everyone in the martial world knew that Taiping City, which didn't practice killing, had another rule: anyone who saw the Divine Martial Token yet still committed murder would be captured on the spot by the Taiping City guards, regardless of the means. ...Could it be that the old man didn't intend to use the Divine Martial Token to stop the pursuers, but rather to use it to force Taiping City to intervene? In other words, there were people from Taiping City here?! Xiao Xiao stood up. Who could it be? Could it be that young master who had "lost his mind"? Clearly, the old man had let them stay here simply to use them as a shield against the pursuers! It seemed that a fierce battle was inevitable soon!

"Xiaoxiao, what's wrong?" Lian Zhao asked as he saw her suddenly stand up.

Xiao Xiao gripped the Divine Martial Token, turned around abruptly, and grabbed him, saying, "Let's get out of here!"

Lian Zhao asked, puzzled, "What did you say?"

"Let's leave here first, and I'll explain later!" Xiao Xiao said earnestly. "Uncle-Master, please come with us too!"

Wen Su calmly sipped his tea and said, "Now that you're here, why leave?"

That's not how it works! Even if this martial uncle is highly skilled and daring, his opponent might be from the Shennong family. An opponent skilled in Gu poison is not someone a normal person can handle, right?!

Xiao Xiao was thinking of simply revealing her guesses to avoid this calamity when Wen Su and Lian Zhao suddenly fell silent.

A man emerged from the inner room. He appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, handsome but pale and lifeless. His gait was also strange, unsteady and numb, like that of a frail old man.

Could it be a zombie?! Xiao Xiao was terrified.

Lian Zhao shielded Xiao Xiao behind him, his hand gripping the hilt of his waist knife. Wen Su put down his tea, his wrist resting lightly on his sword. The atmosphere was incredibly tense.

Just then, the girl rushed out and shouted, "Young master, don't run around!" She rushed up to the man and grabbed his hand. "Come back with me quickly, or Grandpa will scold me again!"

Young Master? Xiao Xiao was taken aback. This was the old man's son? No way, the old man looked to be in his seventies or eighties, his son was way too young!

"Let's go back to the room quickly, okay? It's not easy for me to earn two coins a month. You're putting me in a difficult position!" The girl clung tightly to the man, complaining helplessly.

But the man ignored him completely and continued walking out.

Lian Zhao and Wen Su both relaxed their guard and watched the situation unfold.

"Don't just stand there watching, help me hold him back!" the girl said to the crowd.

Lian Zhao immediately reached out and blocked the man's path.

However, the man continued walking forward numbly, completely ignoring what was happening around him.

"Stop him!" an aged voice rang out. The old man strode over and sealed the man's pressure points. Then, he hurriedly closed the door.

Wen Su smiled and said, "Old man, your skills are quite impressive."

Upon hearing this, the old man chuckled, "Hehe, I wouldn't dare to embarrass myself in front of you esteemed heroes."

"Who exactly are you?" Wen Su asked coldly.

The old man knew he couldn't hide it any longer and was about to say something when a mournful, eerie roar echoed from outside the door.

Lian Zhao walked to the window and looked outside. Under the peach tree stood a large group of people, their figures crooked and their screams terrifying; they were clearly no longer alive.

“They’re walking corpses…” Lian Zhao said, taking down his bow and arrow.

Xiao Xiao was on the verge of tears. She was right after all… a desolate wilderness, a bunch of zombies… what kind of ghost story is this?!

"I've already applied realgar outside, so those zombies can't get near this house for now," the old man said slowly. "Gentlemen, we're all in the same boat now. Shouldn't we work together to overcome this difficulty?"

Wen Su stood up from his chair and drew his sword. "Otherwise, I could also choose to kill you and break out on my own."

The old man smiled kindly, “My benefactor, although your martial arts skills are not bad, it is too early for you to become an enemy of Shennong.”

"The Shennong family?" Lian Zhao asked in surprise.

"Hmph, as expected of Shennong's 'Gu Poison Flow'... Today on the river, it was you who used my nephew's hand to break the walking corpse," Wen Su said.

"Since you know this, why did you still come to my humble abode?" the old man said with a smile.

"I merely wish to see who this person is who dares to covet the seventy-two islands of the East China Sea." Wen Su's eyes were cold. "Since you are a disciple of Shennong, state your name and I will spare your life."

The old man smiled and said, "Although my martial arts skills are lacking, I won't die at your hands so easily."

Wen Su smiled and said, "Let's see how long you can keep up your stubbornness!"

He was about to attack when he heard the old man shout, "Seeing the Divine Martial Token is like seeing the Wuling Stele! Stop now?!"