Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 86

We can use the fact that Donghai has committed numerous evils to launch a military campaign against him. But what about Hero's Fortress, Taiping City, Yuelan Sword Sect...?

Lian Zhao closed the document and sighed softly. Now, the only divine artifacts he possessed were the "Frosty Sky Moon-Grabbing Weapon" and the "Southern Dipper Longevity Weapon" held by the Shennong Sect Master…

He reached out and gently picked up the bow and arrow, holding it in his hand.

He who possesses the Nine Emperor Artifacts will rule the world. But this bow and arrow in my hand has no magical properties whatsoever... How can collecting all nine pieces grant the ability to unify the world? This is something that even the most brilliant minds cannot comprehend.

Throughout the entire world, there is only one person who knows the whereabouts and secrets of the "Nine Emperors"... Ghost Master Han Qing.

Thinking this, Lian Zhao's hand clenched tighter. For these things, one could be so blinded by morality, committing murder and harming others. Even if one gained the world, how could one win the hearts of the people? ...But what difference was there between what he had done today? Now, once involved in this conflict, there was no way to escape unscathed. All personal feelings were fragile and vulnerable in this conflict...

But... he desperately wanted her to stay far away, far from this conflict. Too many grudges had arisen because of the "Nine Emperors," and too many people had been hurt because of them. Right now, he had neither the standing nor the power to protect her. The only thing he could do was let her leave.

He took out the sketch she had casually drawn from his pocket and gazed at it with a smile. Just like the turtle swimming in the water in the picture, forgetting each other in the vast world was his only choice.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Lian Zhao put away the picture, laid down his bow and arrow, and said, "Come in."

The one who entered was a retainer of the Lian family. He walked to Lian Zhao's side and said, "Young Master, just now Young Master Wei and Master Qian, along with several of their men, sailed a small boat to the Seventy-Two Ring Islands."

Lian Zhao nodded slightly, "Let him be."

"I'm worried that he might do something again..." the guard said with displeasure.

“Since he acted on his own, it’s a matter of factional infighting. We don’t need to get involved in matters of the martial world; we should just distance ourselves from it,” Lian Zhao said.

After hearing this, the servant said no more and took his leave.

Lian Zhao stood up and turned to look at the nautical chart in front of his desk.

The Emperor secretly ordered the Lian family to assist the Shenxiao Sect in investigating the "Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts." Following this order was another. Those words were deeply etched into Lian Zhao's mind; whenever he recalled them, he felt a chill run down his spine and was filled with dread.

After finding the "Nine Emperors," all those under the Shenxiao Sect who knew of this matter were killed without mercy.

...

Ninety percent similar

When Xiaoxiao woke up again, she was in her room on one of the seventy-two islands in the East China Sea. Her roommate, Ye Li, was by her bedside and, seeing her awake, exclaimed excitedly, "You're awake!"

Xiao Xiao sat up and rolled up her sleeve to look at her wound. The wound was well bandaged and didn't hurt much anymore. She reached out to check her pulse; although it was a little weak and rapid, it was still relatively calm.

"Don't worry about it. The doctor has already examined you, and the poison has been mostly neutralized. Your fever has also subsided. Well, all that's left is to take good care of yourself!" Ye Li smiled and took her hand, saying, "If it weren't for you this time, I'm afraid I would have been finished. Thank you so much."

Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "No, when you think about it, it's me who's dragging my senior sister down..."

"Let's not talk about that anymore," Ye Li said with a smile. "Oh, by the way, a lot of my sisters want to see you and apologize. I'll go get them. Wait a minute!"

Xiao Xiao watched her rush out and muttered helplessly to herself, "Senior sister... at least pour me a glass of water before you leave..."

She leaned against the pillows, clutching the blankets, and sighed with a mournful expression.

Just then, someone gently knocked on the door and stepped inside.

With a slight upward glance, she saw Wen Su.

"Uncle-Master..."

Wen Su nodded slightly, walked straight to the table, and poured a glass of water.

Xiao Xiao looked at his actions with slight confusion.

Wen Su carried a glass of water to the bedside and handed it to her, saying, "Drink some water."

Xiao Xiao looked at the glass of water in disbelief, then at Wen Su, hesitated for a long time, and finally reached out to take it. She held it with both hands, drinking it while watching Wen Su's expression.

"What's wrong?" Wen Su moved a stool and sat down by the bed. Seeing Xiao Xiao's expression, he asked.

Xiao Xiao shook her head, continued drinking water, and remained silent.

Wen Su paused for a moment, then said, "The Lian family has withdrawn their troops..."

Xiao Xiao's hand holding the cup trembled slightly upon hearing this.

The battle formation map has been stolen. To preserve our gains, it is not advisable to continue fighting. Retreating, regrouping, and redeploying our troops is the more prudent course of action.

Thinking of this, Xiao Xiao felt a little relieved. But in an instant, she remembered Lian Zhao's gaze, which still pierced her heart and caused a dull pain.

"The East Sea has recalled all the captains of the seventy-two ring islands and deployed more warships..." Wen Su said calmly, "Perhaps we can turn the tide in the next battle..."

Xiao Xiao listened quietly.

Wen Su paused for a moment, then said, "Tomorrow, you will go to the back island with your fellow disciples to take refuge temporarily. I will come to pick you up after everything is over."

Xiao Xiao put down her cup and nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she said, "Uncle-Master, thank you..." She looked up and smiled, "I'm so useless. I even managed to steal the array diagram and it ended up in the sea. I've even dragged you down with me..."

Wen Su spoke up, "I always tell you to diligently practice martial arts and water skills, but all you do is slack off. Have you learned your lesson after this ordeal?"

"Uh..." Xiao Xiao said helplessly, "Uncle is right to teach me a lesson. I will definitely study hard and strive to improve myself next time, so as to become a disciple of the East Sea who is good at swimming and martial arts, and live up to Uncle's cultivation!"

Wen Su tilted his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. But that smile was unmistakably warm.

Xiao Xiao saw this and couldn't help but smile.

Wen Su reached into his robes and took out a small coarse cloth bag, handing it to Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao took the bag with some confusion. The small bag was heavy, as if it contained something hard.

Wen Su stood up and said, "Take a rest and then come to the main hall. The island lord and the other branch leaders would like to see you."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left.

Xiao Xiao watched him walk away, then opened the small bag with great curiosity, and then froze.

It was a bag of brightly colored candies. When held in the palm of your hand, each one gleamed with a warm, inviting light.

Xiao Xiao then remembered that on that deserted island, she had jokingly asked Wen Su for candy. And those casual words of hers had been taken to heart…

She picked up a pink candy ball and put it in her mouth. The light sweetness carried the fragrance of lotus flowers, not cloying at all. She smiled and then picked up a green plum candy, its fragrance slightly sour, spreading in her mouth.

She greedily took one of each color and put it in her mouth. Although the flavors were different, the sweetness was perfectly blended together, penetrating her blood and spreading throughout her body.

For some reason, at that moment, she thought of dried plums. Besides sourness, there was only bitterness; even without the bitterness, there was still astringency. That taste couldn't compare to candied plums at all…

"Let's just eat them together..." Xiao Xiao muttered to herself, a candy still in her mouth.

As she was gratefully eating the candy, a large group of her senior female classmates suddenly rushed in and gathered around her bedside, offering words of comfort and concern. Some even broke down in tears, saying that they had previously misunderstood her as a traitor and wronged her, begging for her forgiveness.

Xiao Xiao's mouth was full of candy, and she couldn't speak, only nodding repeatedly. These senior sisters, who were usually cold and strict with her, were really overwhelming when they got warm.

And this is just the beginning.

After the senior sisters finished exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Xiao was pulled up by Ye Li to get dressed and comb her hair, and then led to the main hall.

Inside the main hall, all the branch leaders of the seventy-two islands were gathered, along with their summoned disciples. As soon as Xiao Xiao entered, everyone stared at her in complete silence, making her quite embarrassed.

Xiao Xiao noticed that both sides of the lobby were filled with wine jars.

Just as Xiao Xiao was wondering what was going on, she saw Wen Jing stand up and slowly walk towards her. In his hand, he held a glass of wine.

"Xiaoxiao, your theft of the array diagram forced the Lian family to retreat, making you an benefactor of the seventy-two islands of the East Sea. This cup of wine is a toast to you on behalf of the East Sea," Wen Jing said with a smile, placing the wine cup in front of Xiaoxiao.

Xiao Xiao looked at the glass of wine, then at the people around her, hesitated before taking it, and carefully drank it down.

The liquor wasn't strong; it was sweet and fragrant with a slight spiciness, flowing down the throat and into the internal organs.

As soon as she finished her drink, she heard cheers from the lobby.

A leader of the guild stepped forward with a large bowl of wine, smiling, and said, "Girl, I misunderstood you before and almost killed an innocent person. I apologize to you. Here, I'll drink this bowl of wine first."

Xiao Xiao watched him drink with his head tilted back, a chill running down her spine. Was he going to make her drink a bowl too?

Just as Xiao Xiao was thinking this, she saw the leader pour another bowl of wine, hand it to her, and say, "Come on, girl, drink this bowl, and the past will be wiped clean."

Xiao Xiao stared at the bowl of wine in astonishment. At that moment, the other island lords gathered around, each holding a large bowl of wine, their eyes filled with approval.

Why doesn't anyone consider her injuries? Even if it wasn't strong liquor, drinking so much would definitely kill her!

She looked at Wen Jing pitifully. Wen Jing smiled and didn't interfere. So, she could only turn her head and search for her only hope in the crowd.

"She is injured and should not drink alcohol. We hope that all the captains will understand."

A slightly cold voice rang out, just as she had hoped. Xiao Xiao looked at Wen Su, who had come to her rescue, with gratitude on her face.

After pondering for a moment, the leaders looked at Wen Su and said, "In that case, you, as her master, should drink it for her."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao looked at Wen Su with sympathy.

Wen Su did not answer, but merely raised his eyes, his gaze sharp and chilling. In an instant, all the guild leaders, holding their bowls, chuckled dryly and scattered.

The small look in his eyes instantly turned into reverence.

Seeing this, Wen Jing smiled and said, "Today is not only a celebration for Zuo Xiaoxiao's victory, but also a feast for the army. The Lian family's retreat is the perfect opportunity for our East Sea to counterattack. Fellow captains, in tomorrow's battle, we must work together with one heart and one mind to enhance the prestige of our East Sea." He reached out, picked up a bowl of wine, and said, "Come, I toast to all the captains."

All the leaders downed their drinks in one gulp, displaying their heroic spirit. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was electric with excitement.

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but feel a little dejected. What if the Lian family really fell...? She thought for a moment, then shook her head and decided to forget about it... From now on, everything about that person would be irrelevant to her...

...

...This is a dividing line indicating "I'm about to reveal a shocking secret" = =+...

Xiao Xiao quickly left the party due to her injuries. Ye Li also used the excuse of escorting her back to her room to leave with her.

"Wow, Xiaoxiao, you've become a benefactor of the East Sea. You're really amazing, you even managed to get your hands on the Lian family's formation diagram..." Ye Li walked beside Xiaoxiao and exclaimed, "By the way, I've been wanting to ask you for a while now, how did you get the Lian family's bone bracelet? That thing is a family heirloom, could it be that you stole it too?"

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment, then said, "No..."

"If it wasn't stolen, then how did you get it? Also, why does the Lian family's surrender document require Donghai to hand you over?" Ye Li asked, increasingly puzzled.

She sighed softly, pondered for a moment, and slowly began to speak: "Actually... I was once the betrothed of the Lian family..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Li froze on the spot, her mouth agape, her face filled with disbelief.

Xiao Xiao chuckled, "Doesn't it look like it?"

“Completely unlike it!” Ye Li said decisively.

She nodded slightly. "I think so too."

Ye Li walked up to her in a few steps, took the little girl's hand, and said, "Tell me quickly, what exactly happened!"

Xiao Xiao looked at her, thinking that if she was truly determined to sever ties, she shouldn't hold back on those things anymore. So, in a calm tone, she began to recount the unexpected twists and turns at Hero's Fortress, the thrilling events at Jiyu Manor, and the approachable nature of the Lian family, the Divine Arrows…