Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 75

“Relatives? How could they be?...By the way, have you heard them say anything?” Ye Li asked.

"What did you say?" The other female disciples shook their heads.

Ye Li frowned. "When she arrived, I heard she encountered people from the North Divine Palace of the South Sea. She didn't even fight back, she just knelt on the ground begging for mercy. She even said she had an eighty-year-old mother to support and an eight-month-old baby to raise."

"Wow! No way!" the female disciples exclaimed in surprise.

"Why would I lie to you!" Ye Li said. "Also, didn't we guess why the island lord went out to sea a few days ago? Turns out, he was going to pick her up!"

"Wow! No way!" The female disciples continued to exclaim in surprise.

"Look, she was late for her morning exercise this morning, and she only got to stand as punishment! Usually, at best, she'll practice a set of boxing moves for an hour, and at worst, she'll have to go to Yunya to reflect on her mistakes! See how powerful she is!"

"Wow!!! Really!!!" The female disciples were astonished.

Xiao Xiao, pressed against the wall, was also surprised. She hadn't expected it to be so complicated... No wonder everyone was so unfriendly. She sighed and smiled.

As a child, she was also disliked in this way, and she was often bullied. The physical pain was a minor matter; what she couldn't understand at such a young age was why others disliked her, and why such people seemed to exist everywhere. Gradually, she became afraid to play with others, always sitting alone on the sidelines.

Seeing her like this, her master said to her: "Xiaoxiao, in this world, there will always be people who are good to you and people who are not. That's just how it is..."

She couldn't understand, she just kept crying.

As she cried, her master's expression became even more forlorn. He gently held her in his arms, patted her back, and coaxed her: "Xiaoxiao, just remember those who are good to you, and forget the rest."

Remember those who are good to you, and forget everything else...

People who are good to her... In that instant, Xiaoxiao could only think of one person. Then, she suddenly turned around, slammed her head against the wall, and helplessly banged it lightly.

At this moment, the group of female disciples had finished their discussion and were getting up to leave. They hadn't gone far when they saw Xiao Xiao banging her head against the wall. They all stared at her with incredulous expressions.

Xiao Xiao snapped out of her daze, gave an awkward laugh, and said, "Uh... my head itches... I'll rub it..."

The women immediately ignored her and quickly left.

Xiao Xiao was utterly helpless, rubbing her head against the wall, "Ah...it's so hard..."

That night, the sound of the sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument) echoed all night on the beach. The same melody, yet it sounded all the more desolate. Not far from the shore, some people still listened quietly…

...

...This is the dividing line representing "I'll write about other people" = =+...

Late at night, the desolate mountain path was deserted. The cold moonlight only added to the eeriness.

A figure was running rapidly along the mountain path, seemingly trying to escape something.

Suddenly, the figure stopped.

“Shi Mi, you are no match for me…” A woman around fifty years old emerged from the shadows; she was Yun Hua, one of the Seven Lords of Shennong.

The dark figure from before was undoubtedly Shi Mi, the sect leader of Shennong Sect.

Yunhua looked at Shimi and said, "The Longevity Gu has been destroyed, are you still not giving up?"

Shi Mi's expression was indifferent. "No need for you to bother."

Yunhua sighed, "Stubborn fool. I originally intended to capture you alive and take you back to Shennong to be punished, but now it seems I have no choice but to cripple one or two of your meridians!" After saying that, she leaped at Shi Mi.

Shi Mi had already expended a lot of energy, and Yun Hua's internal strength was even greater than hers. Knowing that she had no chance of winning, she did not shy away at all and went to meet him head-on.

Under the moonlight, the black magic needle appeared and disappeared, piercing through the air.

Yunhua, however, easily avoided them one by one.

Shi Mi's breathing became erratic, but her face remained calm and expressionless.

Yunhua frowned, "So you really have practiced 'Flame God Awakening Heaven'... This internal energy technique is extremely self-inflicted, you'll suffer for it in the future!"

Shi Mi, panting slightly, gritted her teeth and said, "No need for you to trouble yourself!"

Yunhua shook his head, gathered his strength in his palm, and was about to strike. Suddenly, the divine needles that had been thrown out floated up and attacked Yunhua in a strange way.

Yunhua swiftly dodged, but the needles seemed to have a life of their own and chased after her. Unable to dodge in time, she was stabbed in the left leg. To her astonishment, the needle, embedded in the muscle, quickly came out and continued its attack.

Yunhua, no longer wishing to continue the fight, hastily retreated and leaped away.

At this moment, a group of people emerged from the woods on both sides of the mountain path. Leading them was Wei Qi, the eldest son of the Wei family.

He was holding a small box in his hands, and all the magic needles flew to his side, gathered together, and fell into the box.

"It's been a long time, Sect Master." Wei Qi closed the small box and said to Shi Mi.

Shi Mi straightened up, her expression still indifferent. She spoke calmly, "Why did you save me?"

Wei Qi smiled and said, "I have long admired the Sect Leader for saving lives. Moreover, this time, the Shennong Clan has been so ruthless and heartless in pursuing the Sect Leader over such a trivial matter. I simply cannot stand by and watch..."

Shi Mi didn't listen to the pleasantries and said coldly, "Forget the formalities, give me a reason to cooperate with you."

Upon hearing this, Wei Qi smiled and nodded, "Sect Master is indeed a straightforward person." He stepped forward and handed over the small box in his hand, "...I have collected all seven hundred and twenty 'Three Corpse Divine Needles' for the Sect Master. It is a small token of my appreciation, and I hope the Sect Master will accept it with a smile."

"The 'Three Corpse Divine Needles' is something you've always pursued, so why are you giving it to me?" Shi Mi glanced at the small box but didn't reach for it.

Wei Qi laughed and said, "Because in the world today, apart from the sect leader, no one is qualified to use this set of needles."

Shi Mi looked at the small box without saying a word.

"Sect Master, you should know that our Shenxiao Sect has returned to the court. We are currently under orders from the current Emperor to investigate the whereabouts of the Nine Emperor Artifacts. If we can obtain your assistance, it will be like adding wings to a tiger," Wei Qi said. "And if you agree, the Shenxiao Sect will fully support you in reclaiming the Shennong Family..."

Shi Mi listened quietly without saying a word.

"...With my divine assistance and the 'Three Corpse Divine Needles,' whether it's the world or bringing the dead back to life... whatever the sect leader desires, he will be able to obtain..." Wei Qi's tone was quite meaningful.

Shi Mi was silent for a moment, then looked up at him and took the small box. Just as she was about to open it, Wei Qi reached out and pressed the lid down.

Shi Mi looked at him, her eyes showing a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Sect Master, please be careful. What you hold in your hands now is no longer the 'Three Corpse Divine Needles'..." Wei Qi said with a smile.

"oh?"

Wei Qi nodded and said, word by word, "What you are holding in your hand is one of the Nine Emperor Divine Artifacts: 'Southern Dipper Longevity'..."

“Nan Dou… Yan Shou…” Shi Mi’s usually calm expression showed a slight ripple.

“Yes,” Wei Qi replied.

Shi Mi carefully opened the small box. Inside, seven hundred and twenty magic needles were neatly arranged, along with six round lodestones, each engraved with characters representing the six stars of the Southern Dipper: Martyrdom, Demon, Righteousness, Benevolence, General, and Compassionate Mother.

"The Southern Dipper governs life, and the Northern Dipper governs death. Since the Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts include the Southern Dipper, there must also be the Northern Dipper..." Shi Mi closed the small box and said calmly.

"Sect Master is indeed intelligent," Wei Qi said with a smile. "I have also found out the whereabouts of 'Beidou Killer'..."

"Aren't you afraid of handing over the Nine Emperor Artifacts to me?" Shi Mi asked.

“Hehe…” Wei Qi laughed, “‘He who obtains the Nine Emperor Artifacts shall rule the world.’ This means that only by collecting all nine artifacts can one have the power to influence the world.”

"So, you're using me now?" A slight smile appeared on Shi Mi's face.

“Why not let each get what they need?” Wei Qi said.

Shi Mi nodded. "I have no interest in the world..." After saying that, she put away the small box.

Wei Qi smiled and said, "Since the sect leader has agreed to cooperate, let's set off."

Wei Qi turned around and saw a fast horse galloping towards him. The rider carried a longbow on his back, and the quiver was engraved with the Lian family crest.

"Young Master Wei, the boats are ready. My master requests that you proceed to the dock immediately." The newcomer did not dismount, but spoke condescendingly from his elevated position.

Wei Qi nodded.

The horse immediately turned around and sped away.

“The Lian family of divine arrows…” Shi Mi began.

Wei Qi sighed, "The sons of officials are always so meticulous and methodical; they're not easy to get along with." He casually gestured for his men to leave, "Let's go, let's head to the East Sea..."

He took a step forward, and finally, as if talking to himself, he murmured, "...I'm afraid only you know the secret of the Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts...Junior Sister..."

...

Nine Heavens Stars

In late May, the weather gradually became hotter. Little Xiao stood in the flower garden, holding her two swords, looking up at the bright sun.

"Why aren't you practicing?" Wen Su asked from the side, sitting in a chair.

"Practice, practice right now!" Xiaoxiao wiped her sweat and sighed. This is terrible! She'd been practicing this sword technique for half a month, four or five hours a day, even harder than her signature "Must-Practice" technique! Maybe she should just name this sword technique "Practice It Even If It Kills Me"...sigh...

She sighed, raised her knife, and was about to practice again. But then she saw Wen Su pick up a teacup from the small table and drink tea.

Xiao Xiao stared at his movements, momentarily stunned. He drank tea exactly like his master, holding the teacup gently with three fingers, his ring finger supporting the bottom, and his little finger slightly bent in the air. He sipped lightly the first time, savoring the second. Each time, he only took two sips before putting down the cup. As a child, Xiao Xiao thought this way of drinking tea was beautiful, and she tried to imitate it for a long time, but she never quite grasped its essence.

She looked at Wen Su and smiled faintly. They really were brothers; not only did they look alike, but their habits and mannerisms were also very similar.

"What are you looking at..." Wen Su said with slight displeasure when he noticed her gaze.

Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "Uncle-Master, the way you drink tea is exactly the same as Master's!"

Upon hearing this, Wen Su frowned. "So what?"

His tone was cold, seemingly displeased. Xiao Xiao could tell, of course. Who in the world likes being compared to another person?

"Uh...actually, it's not that similar," Xiao Xiao said.

Wen Su looked at her and remained silent.

She took a few quick steps to the small table, picked up the teacup, took a deep breath, placed one foot on the table, and tilted her head back to gulp it down. She then wiped her mouth with her sleeve and let out a long sigh.

She smiled and said to Wen Su, "This is how my master usually drinks!"

Wen Su was stunned and subconsciously looked at Xiao Xiao's feet on the small table.

Xiao Xiao smiled mischievously, put down her teacup, jumped back, clasped her hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for the tea, Martial Uncle!"

Wen Su then realized what was happening. He looked at Xiao Xiao and suddenly laughed.

Seeing him smile, she felt a little smug. Her martial aunt usually had a cold face, and even when she smiled, it was a cold and frosty smile. It was unbelievable that she could smile so warmly now.

Wen Su stood up, his smile fading, and said, "If you had used that kind of mindset on martial arts, you would have already achieved great success, and you wouldn't have to beg for mercy every time."

Xiao Xiao scratched her head and said, "Even if I were a master of martial arts, I would still beg for mercy..."

Wen Su asked, puzzled, "Why?"