Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 99

Xiao Xiao put Ye Zhihui down, stood up straight, and calmly looked at everyone. Only one thought occupied her mind: Was it too late to go back under the desk?

...

Creating something from nothing

Is it too late to go back under the desk now?

...This is a separator to connect to the previous chapter = =+...

Under the moonlight, on the street, three groups of people were locked in a stalemate. The commotion attracted the attention of the townspeople, who gathered around to watch the spectacle.

Ye Zhihui ran to Ye Zhang's side, smiling happily.

Ye Zhang raised his eyes, his anger directed at Wen Su and his men, and said, "Hmph, you bandits, let's see what other tricks you have up your sleeves! Take them down!"

The situation was on the verge of erupting when Wen Su spoke up, saying, "Let's go."

As soon as that cold, decisive voice rang out, the black-clad Japanese man swiftly pulled something from his robes and threw it out. Instantly, a blinding light shone, and when everyone opened their eyes, Wen Su and his group had vanished without a trace.

After a brief silence, the street erupted in uproar.

Xiao Xiao opened her eyes, immediately filled with regret. Why... why did she freeze and not follow along? No, no, no, Japanese ninjas are all about flying and teleporting; she had never learned that kind of swift movement... But what should she do now?

"So you're still alive."

Xiao Xiao was feeling annoyed when she heard Lian Zhao speak. She slowly turned her head to look at Lian Zhao.

Lian Zhao lowered his eyes and did not look directly at her.

So you're still alive...

Xiao Xiao recalled the scene on the East Sea, when she stole the array diagram and was shot by his arrow. At that time, she fell into the sea, her fate unknown. So, he thought she was dead? And that's why he didn't issue an arrest warrant for her? So… that's how it was… She really had been deluding herself…

"Take him down," Lian Zhao ordered, turning around.

Xiao was startled as she looked at the archers approaching her.

He was a soldier, she was a thief; it was only natural for him to capture her… Now, what was she still hoping for? Finding a way to escape was the real priority!

"Sister!" Ye Zhihui called out from the side, "Father, Brother Lian, why are you arresting Little Sister?! She saved me!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao suddenly had an idea. She glanced at the ordinary people gathered around her, steadied herself, and stretched out her hand.

"Wait!" Xiao Xiao raised her eyes, her gaze showing no fear.

The archers paused, watching her warily.

Xiao Xiao lowered her arm, smiled, and said confidently, "When you take someone to court, there must be a crime. May I ask, Young Master Lian, what crime have I committed?"

Hearing her say this, Lian Zhao spoke up: "You know perfectly well what I'm asking. You are a disciple of the Donghai Sect, colluding with bandits. You even stole battle formation diagrams and destroyed my ship formation. The evidence is conclusive. If you have anything to say, go to the government office..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Xiao burst into laughter.

"Hehehe, Young Master Lian, have you misunderstood something?" Xiao Xiao feigned composure, her tone leisurely. "Everyone saw it; those were the disciples of the East Sea Sect. If I were with them, why would I still be here? Besides..." Xiao Xiao took a deep breath and raised her voice, "I am the dignified 'Three-String Heroine,' known to everyone in the martial world. You say I'm a disciple of the East Sea Sect? What a joke!"

Her words caused an uproar.

Lian Zhao was stunned, staring at her somewhat stiffly.

Seeing the situation was favorable, Xiao Xiao continued, "In the battle of the East Sea, if it weren't for the despicable methods of your allies that harmed innocent civilians, I would never have stolen your battle formation map. May I ask, Young Master Lian, did I harm a single soldier of yours? And what losses did the government suffer afterward?" Xiao Xiao smiled, "...If I remember correctly, the East Sea was Young Master Lian's first battle. You should cherish your position even more. In a way, you should thank me, shouldn't you?"

These words caused an even greater stir among the onlookers. The various rumors about the "Three-String Heroine" were already common knowledge, and now that someone was saying them so convincingly, it was impossible for the crowd not to believe them.

Lian Zhao's expression grew increasingly stiff, his eyes fixed on Xiao Xiao, speechless.

Xiao Xiao sighed and said, "Lord Ye, am I right?"

Ye Zhang was stunned for a long time before speaking: "Since you are the renowned 'Three-String Heroine' of the martial arts world, then why..."

"And why did I come to your residence as a maid?" Xiao Xiao smiled and said righteously, "A few days ago, I learned that Donghai and Japanese merchants were colluding to plot something sinister, and their target was none other than you, Lord Ye. So, I went ahead and infiltrated your residence. Otherwise, how could I have rescued your daughter in time today?"

Upon hearing this, the onlookers all expressed their admiration.

"Speaking of which, Young Master Lian shouldn't hold any official position yet, right?" Xiao Xiao paced a few steps and provocatively asked, "In the battle of the East Sea, you were merely assisting the local government. The only one who could arrest and convict people should be Lord Ye, right?"

Faced with such rebuttal, Lian Zhao could only remain silent.

"Then, Lord Ye, in your opinion, have I, Zuo Xiaoxiao, committed any crimes?" Xiaoxiao asked confidently.

Ye Zhang was somewhat embarrassed, "This..."

With a small turn, he said loudly, "Fellow villagers, tell me, am I guilty?"

A commotion broke out among the onlookers, and after a while, they shouted slogans such as "No," "Innocent," and "Heroine"...

Xiao Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and laughed heartily.

“Young Master Lian, why are you so determined to arrest me? Give me a reason, and I will obediently submit to the law… Of course, I will not admit to anything like ‘starting a relationship and then abandoning it’ or ‘playing with feelings’.”

Hearing this suggestive flirtation, the onlookers became even more excited and loudly echoed Xiaoxiao, demanding to know the reason.

Xiao Xiao smiled, but her heart was filled with guilt. The matter of the "Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts" was undoubtedly a secret, and Lian Zhao would never dare to reveal it in front of so many people. After her words, he would probably have no choice but to admit defeat. Thinking of this, she raised her eyes and cautiously glanced at Lian Zhao.

Lian Zhao's expression was extremely complicated. He stood there, unable to move an inch.

For some reason, a pang of sadness welled up in her heart. However, she didn't dwell on it, steeled her resolve, raised her eyebrows, and smiled, "Young Master Lian, may I... leave now?"

"You..." Lian Zhao began, but didn't know what to say.

With a flick of her hair, she leaped gracefully to the top of the moonlit rooftop. Her movements were light and agile, like a swallow in flight.

Applause erupted instantly.

Seeing this, Lian Zhao and Ye Zhang were unable to order a pursuit and could only look up blankly.

"Young Master Lian, until we meet again!" Xiao Xiao waved with a smile, spun around, and leaped into the air several times before disappearing into the night.

Instantly, cheers and applause erupted in waves.

Lian Zhao watched her disappearing figure, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips, but he quickly suppressed it. He turned around with a serious expression, only to find everyone looking at him with pity. Ye Zhang smiled, walked to his side, sighed softly, and patted his shoulder. Then, taking her daughter's hand, she led the soldiers to pursue the pirates of the East Sea.

At that moment, Lian Zhao finally experienced firsthand what it meant to be caught between laughter and tears...

...

She did a quick, dazzling leap, but in reality, she didn't run very far. She found a quiet alley, crouched down among a pile of junk, and panted.

Wow, that series of movements—twisting and turning, leaping up, landing smoothly, feet apart, one hand on hip, hair fluttering, head bowed with a smile…—was definitely not simple! After practicing light-body skills for so many years, this was the first time she almost strained her back! Being a martial arts master isn't easy!!! She's better suited to squatting…

She crouched there, head in her hands, listening to waves of soldiers come and go, seemingly searching for the pirates of the East Sea. Although Xiao Xiao had severed all ties, it wasn't wise for her to appear on the street now. She stayed hidden, listening to the sounds around her.

About an hour later, the street gradually quieted down. Xiao Xiao peeked out, looked around, and then breathed a sigh of relief before standing up.

She crept out of the alley, carefully surveyed the situation, and then strode out.

Suddenly, the shadow in the corner shifted, and several men in black appeared around her instantly.

She was startled and turned to run, but what she saw was Wen Su.

His expression was cold and indifferent, as always. The black cloud robe he wore added to his chilling and menacing aura.

Xiao Xiao unconsciously took a few steps back, terrified.

Wen Su naturally saw the fear in that eyes. His eyelashes twitched slightly, and he said in a low voice, "You may all leave. I can manage on my own here."

Upon hearing this, the group of Japanese people vanished instantly.

Xiao Xiao was somewhat confused, but remained wary.

Wen Su remained silent for a moment before speaking, "...I have no intention of fighting you."

For some reason, his words put Xiaoxiao at ease.

Silence fell between them once more.

Xiao Xiao felt a heavy weight on her heart, as if a large stone was pressing on her chest. She remembered the first time she saw him, under a similarly bright moonlight.

She still remembered that day, the seventh day after her master's death. A fleeting moment of disorientation made her think she had seen his "returning soul." The ecstasy and sorrow of that moment were still etched in her heart, unforgettable. Yet, such an encounter could lead to so many twists and turns later. If she hadn't called out "Master" then, what would things be like now?

Could this be considered a cycle of cause and effect, a cruel twist of fate? Or perhaps it was a deliberate arrangement by her master, who is watching from heaven...?

Thinking of this, she spoke up: "Master... no, Master Wen..."

Wen Su felt a tightness in his heart when he heard her speak.

Xiao Xiao lowered her head. "I remember you told me... if I said no, you would believe me, right?"

Wen Su nodded, "Yes."

Xiao Xiao looked at him earnestly and said, "I don't know anything... I don't know anything about the Nine Emperor Artifacts, do you believe me?"

Wen Su looked at her, his expression tinged with sorrow, "I believe you."

"Then..." A small smile tinged with sorrow, "then please let me go, okay?"

Wen Su frowned, lowered his eyes, and said, "Even if I let you go, where can you go?"

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, "I...I didn't think that much..."

After thinking it over for a while, Wen Su finally spoke, "Your master..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Xiao Xiao.

"My master didn't tell me anything before he passed away..." Xiao Xiao said.

Wen Su sighed softly, "I know... otherwise, you should have noticed it the moment you saw me..."

Xiao Xiao laughed when she heard this. "Oh, I see..." She looked down at the ground. "Do you think my master is stupid?"

Wen Su remained silent and did not answer.

"Logically speaking, everyone would reveal the murderer, right..." Xiao Xiao said, her voice gentle and touching. "However, Master always has his reasons. With my skills, I'm destined to be killed, right? Besides... once people find out my identity, I'm afraid I won't even be able to have a single peaceful day."

Wen Su was familiar with her smile, so bright and untouched by any gloom. No matter what happened, her smile remained the same.

"...I've thought about it. It wasn't you who provoked me; it was my own carelessness. Once my identity was exposed, being deceived was inevitable. Besides, even if it was all a lie, you genuinely saved me several times. Now it seems I've benefited more..." Xiao Xiao said sincerely. "Revenge... I don't think I can do that..."

Xiao Xiao paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Master Wen, if you can let me go, then our grudges will be settled, and we'll owe each other nothing... Can we just pretend we never met..."

The summer night air was still hot. But Wen Su felt only ice-cold all over. Did she want to forget him? If she forgot, what would he do?

His expression turned cold, and he said, "You're being too naive... Settle the score, and we're even? Do you know what I've done?"

The small smile faded, and I didn't understand what he was trying to say.