Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 55

With a clang, the knife pierced the crack in the brickwork. The next moment, the room suddenly shook, and then the bricks on the ceiling steadily descended, forming steps.

Xiao Xiao was stunned.

Lian Zhao smiled faintly, pointed to the top of his head, and said, "My father taught me that all kinds of formations share a common path to survival..."

Xiao Xiao laughed too. All sorts of formations, the only way out is right above your head? That's clearly a joke. But it really is quite amusing.

The three were ready and about to step forward when suddenly someone tumbled down the steps.

Xiao Xiao was startled and exclaimed, "Young Miss?!"

The person who rolled down was Shen Yuan. She looked up in fright, and when she saw the person in front of her, she got up and ran, throwing herself into Lian Zhao's arms.

Lian Zhao was stunned and somewhat at a loss for what to do.

Shen Yuan trembled slightly and sobbed softly.

At this moment, several burly men in black rushed down. They were all surprised when they saw the three people, but immediately swung their knives and slashed at them.

Wen Su quickly drew his twin swords and stood up to meet the attack.

Lian Zhao gently pushed Shen Yuan away and said to Xiao Xiao, "You and the young lady go to the side and be careful not to get caught in the crossfire."

Xiao Xiao immediately nodded, pulled Shen Yuan up, and shrank into the corner.

Shen Yuan was somewhat reassured, but when she saw the room full of young girls' corpses, her face turned pale again, and she gripped her small arms tightly.

Xiao Xiao looked at Shen Yuan, unsure how to comfort her. Such a refined young lady, encountering something so terrible, she must be having nightmares every night, right? But how did she end up here?

Xiao Xiao was puzzled when she suddenly heard a familiar voice, "These good-for-nothings think they can make me bow down and submit? What a joke!"

Silver Owl... Xiao Xiao was pleasantly surprised.

Just as Yin Xiao said, these men in black, though fierce-looking, were actually quite mediocre in terms of martial arts. They were no match for Wen Su and Lian Zhao. Since Yin Xiao was there, Yue Huaixi must also be there. The four of them together were even more extraordinary.

She felt a little relieved, but not for long before fear gripped her again. Lian Zhao, Wen Su, Yin Xiao… with these three together, she couldn't imagine what might happen… What should she do?

She stood frozen in place, unable to move.

"...You...you're the new maid, aren't you..." Shen Yuan spoke up, "What are you doing here? And...Brother Li, he..."

She was slightly startled, but quickly regained her composure, squeezed out two tears, and lied, "I...I was kidnapped...They came to rescue me..."

That's not wrong. Ling You and Shen Chen were planning to kidnap her and Yue Huaixi to raise them as Gu poison, while Wen Su and Lian Zhao were naturally protecting her. This lie won't stick!

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan burst into tears. "My father... how could my father do this..."

Unlike Xiao Xiao's tears, Miss Shen's tears were genuine. Their pitiful appearance softened Xiao Xiao's heart. "Miss, don't cry, we'll be out soon. Just pretend this is a dream..."

“It’s not a dream…” Shen Yuan shook her head, crying. Looking at the room full of corpses, she said sadly, “My father really did such a heinous thing!”

A slight sense of helplessness washed over her. She looked up at the battle unfolding before her. Yes, anyone who knew their beloved family member could be so cruel would find it unbearable. ...Wait, she had only suddenly learned that her master was the "infamous" "Ghost Master," so why didn't she find it unbearable? ...Could this mean that she was born with the nature of a villain?

Xiao Xiao glanced at Shen Yuan, speechless. Okay, okay, she was the bad guy… She looked at the corpse in the room again, but surely her master wouldn't do something so cruel? Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly remembered something else.

Ling You once said that living people are unreliable. They've always used walking corpses. The only living person they've ever hired, Yue Huaixi, was because they encountered someone from the same clan who could decipher walking corpses. Logically, how could there be so many living men in this underground palace? Besides, Jiyu Manor isn't a martial arts sect, and there aren't any such people within the manor. What exactly is going on...?

That's right, besides Shen Chen and Ling You, there is a third force. And it's no small matter.

Thinking about it this way, my previous doubts suddenly became clear. Ling You had always lived on a small hill by the river, and Shen Chen had always claimed to be ill and lived in seclusion within the Jiyu Manor. Even if these two had a common goal, it would be difficult for them to cross paths. There must have been someone acting as a go-between.

The moment Xiaoxiao finally understood, the helplessness in her heart deepened several times over. It seemed... she'd been dragged into something big again...

As she was marveling to herself, she saw that the battle inside the room had turned in her favor, and the group of burly men were no match for them.

Wen Su was the first to leap up the steps.

Lian Zhao finished tidying up the remaining people and followed them.

Xiao Xiao squatted in the corner, pondered for a long time, then pulled Shen Yuan along and went upstairs. Although Shen Yuan was unwilling, the room was full of corpses, and she dared not stay long, so she had no choice but to follow.

Taking just one small step, I witnessed the scene I least wanted to see.

“Silver Owl…” Lian Zhao frowned and said angrily when he saw the person standing in the room.

Yin Xiao smiled leisurely, "Young Master Lian."

Wen Suwei turned slightly and glanced at Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao froze, unsure of what to do.

Yin Xiao remained calm and smiled, "Young Master Lian, although I have some personal grudges with you, this is not the place to settle them." He then looked up at Wen Su, "I know that everyone has many questions. I believe this Miss Zhao can answer them one by one."

Xiao Xiao then realized that there was another person in the room. Zhao Yan stood by the bed, her expression showing no fear, but a chilling calmness.

“Silver Owl, the Seventy-Two Islands of the East China Sea, the Lian Family of Divine Arrows, the Yue Lan Sword Sect…” Zhao Yan began, “Indeed, they are all the elites of this era.” She glanced at Xiao Xiao, “To make these people willingly obey your commands, only Miss Zuo in this world has such ability…”

I was slightly startled; those words clearly sounded like a threat.

“Miss Zhao, it seems you don’t understand your situation.” Wen Su said coldly.

Zhao Yan glanced at the candlelight in the room. "This servant knows perfectly well." She sighed and smiled. "This servant knows very well that these people are no match for you all. This servant also knows that Master Lingyou and Master Shen are both without martial arts skills. Even if they obtained the 'Three Corpse Divine Needles' and the 'Magnetic Guide,' they wouldn't amount to anything..."

Hearing these words, everyone had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

Zhao Yan's eyes were full of confidence. "Gentlemen, it's too late."

Yin Xiao grew impatient. He reached out and grabbed Zhao Yan by the throat. "Don't give me that crap! This 'Three Corpse Divine Needles' is utter nonsense!" A cold, gleaming "Snow-Refined Silver Light" appeared between his fingers. "Playing with needles, huh? I can do that too..."

However, before he could finish speaking, a jet-black needle struck him from his left. He couldn't dodge in time, and the needle pierced his left arm. He cried out in pain and stepped back, looking in the direction from which the needle had come.

"Well said..." A soft, gentle female voice, so familiar it was terrifying, "Playing with needles? I can do that too..."

Xiao Xiao's eyes widened, and she said tremblingly, "Master Qian Xiyuan!"

...

Three generations

Qian Zhu Xi Yuan?!

Xiao Xiao took two steps back. So, she was the mastermind? No… no matter how powerful the Silk Embroidery Manor was, it was just a small sect; it couldn't possibly have such power. Unless…

The Qiansi Embroidery Shop belongs to the Shenxiao Sect, and Xi Yuan had mentioned the term "Celestial Master." Therefore, the one who planned all of this was Chong Hezi, the leader of the Shenxiao Sect: Wang Wenqing?

The Shenxiao Sect has always been pursuing the Nine Emperor Artifacts, so this explanation makes perfect sense. Moreover, given Chong Hezi's prestige, controlling Jiyu Manor would be a piece of cake.

As Xiao Xiao was thinking, she saw Wen Su draw his sword and swiftly attack, heading straight for Xi Yuan.

Xi Yuan stepped aside, only to see a figure rush out from behind her. The person made no unnecessary moves, directly raising his palm and striking Wen Su's chest.

Wen Su was slightly startled. His attack had weakened, so he used his knife to protect his chest and switched from offense to defense.

However, to everyone's surprise, Wen Su's sword shattered instantly upon being struck by the palm, sending shards flying, which everyone dodged. Wen Su, who hadn't anticipated this turn of events, was cut by the shards and forced to retreat.

The little girl covered her head, hid to one side, and watched timidly.

The person who struck was a young man of about twenty-three or twenty-four. Xiao Xiao felt an unusual sense of oppression at just one glance. Although the man in front of her dressed like a spoiled rich kid, had a handsome face, and a smiling eye, he still couldn't hide the murderous aura emanating from him.

The man laughed and said, "So the Double Yin Blades are nothing special after all."

Wen Su frowned and said, "Nether Thunder Palm..."

Everyone was shocked by these words.

She was slightly startled. The Netherworld Thunder Palm. Her master had died from this palm technique… She glanced at the man and shook her head. Impossible. Her master was killed with a single palm strike; the opponent's martial arts must be unfathomable. Although this man was skilled, the idea of killing the "Ghost Master" with a single palm strike was utterly absurd.

The man slowly sized up the group of people in front of him and said, "You have all been injured or exhausted your energy. You are no match for me. If you surrender, I will spare your lives."

The facts were indeed as he said. Wen Su and Lian Zhao had already been injured by the divine needles, and had only been recuperating for a short while, so they were naturally at a disadvantage. Yin Xiao had just been ambushed by the divine needles, and now one of his arms was probably immobile. Although Yue Huaixi was not injured, he had also fought with the men in black, and his physical strength and internal energy had been greatly depleted.

The current situation is… Xiao Xiao glanced around. Okay, she was the only one unharmed and skilled in martial arts. However, with her abilities, it was like throwing an egg against a rock… Kneel and beg for mercy? …In an instant, Xiao Xiao dismissed the idea. For some reason, kneeling was incredibly easy for her. But right now, she didn't want anyone to see her acting so subservient… at least not in front of him…

She hesitated, but Lian Zhao pushed her away.

"Xiaoxiao, take the young lady away from here!" After saying that, Lian Zhao picked up the weapon on the ground and attacked the man.

At this moment, Wen Su, who had just retreated due to injury, also resumed the battle.

Yue Huaixi naturally wouldn't fall behind. The situation immediately became three against two.

Xiao Xiao frowned, hesitated for a moment, and then pulled Shen Yuan up. She was about to run, but Shen Yuan stopped and didn't move an inch.

"Young Miss?"

Shen Yuan's tears were still wet, but her eyes showed stubbornness. She bent down, picked up a knife from the ground, rushed to the bedside, and shouted, "If you don't stop, I'll destroy her!"

Upon hearing this, everyone stopped and stared at her.

"You dare!" Zhao Yan stepped forward and roared.

“Why wouldn’t I dare…” Shen Yuan’s hands were still trembling slightly, but her tone was firm, “She’s just a dead person… Let them go! Otherwise, you’ll have failed at everything…”

The mysterious man smiled and turned to Xi Yuan, saying, "You see, even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Women are truly strange creatures."

"Enough with the nonsense, are you going to release them or not?" Shen Yuan said.

Xiao Xiao was stunned. She never expected that the usually delicate and beautiful young lady would have such courage. Indeed, appearances can be deceiving.

At this moment, Zhao Yan also picked up a knife and pointed it at the wounded Yin Xiao, saying, "Release my mother, or I'll kill him!"

Shen Yuan's face was deathly pale. She smiled and said, "I don't know him at all..."

Zhao Yan's expression twisted slightly.

The mysterious man sighed and said, "Master Shen, you really have failed to raise your daughter properly."

After he finished speaking, a hidden door opened, and Shen Chen and Ling You walked out.

"Yuan'er! Put down the knife!" Shen Chen said angrily to Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan's body trembled, but her grip on the knife did not loosen. "Father... I don't understand, why did you do this? Just for this woman, you..."

"How dare you! When did it become your place to lecture your father?! Put down the knife!" Shen Chen stepped forward and shouted.

Shen Yuan gritted her teeth and shook her head heavily. "Father, I can't let you make any more mistakes..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted.

"Master Shen, please save my mother!" Zhao Yan pleaded, tugging at Shen Chen's sleeve.

Shen Chen looked at her and said, "Yan'er, don't worry... With me here, no one can harm a single hair on Yan Ji's head!"

Shen Yuan's expression was a mixture of sorrow and despair, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. "Father...she's dead, Yan Ji...she's dead..."