Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 105

Seeing that she looked calm and didn't seem to be lying, Zhang Jiyuan stopped asking. Luo Wu, however, said with dissatisfaction, "No matter what, his mind is entirely on you, and he doesn't care about what's happening in the fortress... Women are indeed more dangerous than swords."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan frowned slightly and said, "This humble servant has absolutely no intention of trying to climb the social ladder by marrying the Second Young Master. This humble servant only wishes to serve Madam for the rest of my life..."

Lady tide also spoke up: "Mo Yun's actions have nothing to do with Yan'er."

Seeing this, Zhang Jiyuan smoothed things over, saying, "Mo Yun has already been expelled from Hero's Fortress, so we don't need to worry about him. Let things be as they are."

Jiang Ji sighed and said, "Let's leave Mo Yun's matter aside for now... However, the position of Lord of Hero's Fortress can't remain vacant forever. Since Wen Xi has no interest in the affairs of the fortress, and these are turbulent times, it seems it's time to summon Ying Yang back."

Lady tide's eyebrows twitched, showing some nervousness.

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Jiyuan said, "The fortress lord insisted on passing the throne to Wenxi before his death, but Wenxi was too young, which is why it has been delayed until now. However, judging from the current situation, it is probably difficult for Wenxi to accept the throne. It is also inappropriate to summon Yingyang back... I think we should follow the old rules and decide the winner through a martial arts contest."

Upon hearing this, both Luo Wu and Jiang Ji abandoned their objections and nodded in agreement.

Zhang Jiyuan looked at Madam Xi and said, "Madam, I will arrange the martial arts competition. We will see who wins and who loses based on their true abilities."

Lady Xi was heartbroken, but she still agreed. She looked up at Zhao Yan and softly instructed, "Yan'er, go and find Wenxi."

Zhao Yan put down the wine pot, nodded, and left respectfully.

As darkness fell, Zhao Yan took a lantern and was about to go out when she saw Mo Yun.

She was used to it and didn't bother to greet them. She ignored them and walked away on her own.

Mo Yun didn't say anything, but just silently followed behind her.

As Zhao Yan walked, she spoke as if to herself, "I really don't understand. Qi Han didn't ask you to take me back, did she? Why are you so persistent?"

Mo Yun replied calmly, "I'm just doing what I want to do."

Zhao Yan laughed, "They say a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea, but aren't your men's thoughts even stranger..."

After she finished speaking, she stopped in front of a brothel. Even from the entrance, she could feel the revelry and decadence. She watched quietly as the clamor and extravagance inside reflected the coldness in her eyes. She rarely thought about her childhood anymore; the scene of being dragged into a brothel by her hair seemed like a dream. However, thinking back to her desperate escape then, she found it somewhat laughable.

People always wonder if the outcome would be different if they were in a different place.

“This is not a place for women. If you are looking for Wei Ying, I can do it for you,” Mo Yun said from behind her.

Zhao Yan turned around and smiled, "Second Young Master, if you say that, the Third Young Master will be sad. Do you really think he frequents brothels every night?"

Mo Yun was somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Yan smiled, carrying the lantern, and continued walking. "That's why I said that men's minds are harder to understand."

She walked for about a quarter of an hour and arrived at a private residence. She pushed open the door and went inside, and the scene before her made Mo Yun stunned.

It was a crowded courtyard, teeming with children. The oldest was no more than 10 years old. At that moment, they were playing and running around the courtyard, holding lanterns.

Wei Ying stood among the group of children, earnestly teaching them swordsmanship. However, very few actually followed his instructions. He wasn't angry; his face was full of smiles, so bright and cheerful, just like a child's.

"Third Young Master."

As soon as Zhao Yan spoke, Wei Ying stopped her swordplay. When she looked up again, her smile had completely vanished, leaving only disdain.

Zhao Yan was already used to it. She walked in, curtsied, and said, "Third Young Master, Madam wants you to go back."

Before Wei Ying could speak, the group of children began to shout in dissatisfaction.

In an instant, the courtyard was in complete chaos.

Wei Ying sheathed her sword and was about to say something when she suddenly saw Mo Yun behind Zhao Yan.

"Second brother..."

Mo Yun nodded without saying anything.

Zhao Yan took a few steps forward and said, "Congratulations, Third Young Master. Just now, San Ying and Madam discussed and decided to recall the Eldest Young Master. They will then arrange a martial arts competition to determine the master of the fortress. Third Young Master, your hard work over the years has finally paid off."

Wei Ying wasn't angry when she heard this; in fact, a smile appeared in her eyes. "Really?"

"This humble servant would not dare to deceive the young master," Zhao Yan said.

Mo Yun took a few steps forward, looked at Wei Ying, and said, "Why are you doing this? Who will appreciate your efforts?"

Wei Ying smiled smugly, "Second brother, we're brothers. Shouldn't we be together as a family?"

Mo Yun couldn't refute it and could only remain silent. At this moment, when the children heard that Mo Yun was Wei Ying's brother, they all gathered around and pestered him to play with them.

Seeing this, Zhao Yan curtsied and said, "This servant will not disturb you two any longer. Young master, please return to your residence as soon as possible."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left. Mo Yun, however, remained standing in the courtyard and did not follow.

Zhao Yan walked for a while, then laughed. In her laughter, mockery and helplessness intertwined, and there was even a touch of desolation.

Brothers? Family? Just thinking about those two words made her laugh uncontrollably. For so many years, she and Madam Xi had used every means at their disposal to help Wei Ying rise to power. And this man, because of "brothers," had overturned everything. She should have realized long ago how terribly wrong she had been… This man was utterly incapable of achieving anything significant!

Suddenly, her laughter stopped abruptly. A figure flashed past her, and she was startled, taking a few steps back.

“Why should Miss Zhao be afraid…” A gentle, smiling voice rang out in the darkness.

Upon hearing the voice, Zhao Yan said, "Young Master."

The visitor was none other than Wei Qi.

Wei Qi looked at her and smiled, "I saw you smiling just now, what made you so happy?"

Zhao Yan curtsied and said, "This servant is happy for the young master. Just now, the Three Heroes have decided to summon you back to Hero's Fortress."

"Oh? That's interesting."

Zhao Yan repeated what had just happened.

Wei Qi's smile deepened after hearing this. "I never expected even the heavens would be on my side. It seems the plan will need to be slightly altered..."

Zhao Yan nodded, then subconsciously turned to look behind her.

Bro... it's getting funnier the more I think about it...

...

lawless land

After two days of travel, the small group finally arrived at the extremely dangerous place that Yin Xiao and Li Si had described.

To Xiaoxiao's surprise, it was just an ordinary small town. Like all small towns, it had its share of restaurants, teahouses, shops, and vendors. The pedestrians on the street exuded a leisurely and contented air, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Xiaoxiao bought a sesame seed cake from a roadside stall and, sitting in the carriage, began to eat it. The carriage's roof was broken, but it still provided ventilation, allowing her to enjoy the scenery along the way. Ye Zhihui and Ye Li, sitting beside her, were also in high spirits, watching the roadside vendors and commenting with smiles. However, Yin Xiao and Li Si's expressions remained tense, their faces showing signs of nervousness.

Xiao Xiao was puzzled, but she didn't bother to investigate further. She squinted, inhaling the fragrance of the mimosa blossoms in the air, and felt instantly content…

Just then, the carriage stopped. Little Xiao looked up while biting into her sesame seed cake and saw a large crowd gathered on the road ahead, pointing and watching the spectacle.

"Wow! What's going on? I'll go see!" Ye Li jumped off the carriage with great interest and rushed into the crowd.

Ye Zhihui was also very curious. She took the little hand and said, "Sister Heroine, let's go take a look too."

Before Xiaoxiao could even see Yinxiao and Lisi's expressions, Ye Zhihui pulled her off the carriage. Just as the two were about to squeeze into the crowd, they heard someone talking.

"I will absolutely not agree to such unreasonable demands!"

"I'm your father, how dare you say I'm being unreasonable?!"

"Isn't your sophistry just utter nonsense?!"

"You bastard, are you trying to rebel?!"

Xiao Xiao couldn't see anyone, but judging from the argument, it must have been a father and son arguing. However, as soon as the father finished speaking, the crowd dispersed with a "whoosh," clearing out a large area.

Xiao Xiao then noticed a young man standing in the crowd, dressed in a lotus-colored robe. He was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with delicate features and was extremely handsome.

Not far in front of him stood a man of about forty-five or forty-six, his hands behind his back. The man had handsome features and an extraordinary air about him. However, the anger in his eyes was truly terrifying.

The man frowned, and suddenly, he struck the boy with his palm.

The young man didn't hesitate and immediately took the attack.

The father and son immediately started fighting.

Xiao Xiao was stunned. She saw that the two men were showing no mercy in their attacks; each move was clearly sharp and filled with murderous intent.

As soon as the two started fighting, the onlookers were all smiles and excited, with no sense of tension whatsoever.

"Hey, they're betting again! Come on, everyone, place your bets!"

"I bet Young Master Jiang will win this time! I wager ten coins!"

"It's clearly Master Jiang who has superior martial arts skills! I'll bet twenty coins!"

Xiao Xiao was speechless upon hearing these words.

Suddenly, Ye Zhihui shouted, "Brother Cheng!"

Upon hearing this, the boy withdrew his hand and took a few steps back.

The man also stopped and stood still.

Ye Zhihui smiled and squeezed in, running to the boy's side. "Brother Cheng!" She then looked at the man and said timidly, "Hello, Uncle..."

The man said to the boy with a hint of disdain, "You won't learn my kung fu, but you insist on learning from that guy surnamed Ye! Your martial arts are truly second-rate, I don't care to fight you!"

"If you can't win, just say so. Stop picking on my master!" the young man retorted defiantly.

"Hmph! Get out of my way, don't block my path!" The man said no more, turned around and strode away.

The crowd automatically made way for them.

Suddenly, an angry female voice rang out: "Hey! You're just leaving like that? What about the wedding?"

Xiao Xiao was stunned the moment she saw the woman. It was none other than Miss Luo from the North Divine Palace of the South Sea, someone she had encountered several times before. What... what kind of fate was this? To actually run into someone from the South Sea in this small town?!

The man turned around, frowned, and said, "How should I know!"

"You old fool, you betrayed your master first, and now you want to break the contract?!"

"Which eye of yours saw me break the contract? My good-for-nothing son won't comply, do you expect me to force him into the wedding ceremony? If you're so capable, make him marry you wholeheartedly!" The man was furious and spoke even more rudely.

"You..." The woman from the South China Sea frowned, wanting to retort, but saw the man walk away quickly, seemingly ignoring her. She glanced at the young man beside her, then turned and said, "I'm staying here! You just wait! Humph!"

After she finished speaking, she turned and walked into a restaurant.

Looking up slightly, I saw wine flags fluttering in the wind, and a plaque in front of the building with three characters: "Zui Ke Ju" (醉客居).

Seeing that there was no excitement to be had, the onlookers dispersed.

The young man sighed softly, smiled, and looked down at Ye Zhihui, saying, "Zhihui, what brings you here?"