Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 113

Zhao Yan smiled innocently, "This humble servant doesn't want it."

After she finished speaking, she walked past him and left the North Garden. As soon as she stepped onto the corridor, she saw Wei Qi.

She curtsied and greeted, "Young Master."

Wei Qi smiled and said, "There's no one else here, so there's no need for formalities. We are allies, not master and servant."

Zhao Yan looked up and smiled, "Young Master is too kind. Is there anything you need?"

Wei Qi smiled and said, "Miss Zhao, actually, I have a favor to ask of you. Alas... my second brother, for some reason, just won't cooperate with me. It seems that if I want to mend our brotherly relationship, I can only rely on you, Miss Zhao."

"Young Master, you flatter me too much..." Zhao Yan said, "Do you want the wooden box, or do you want to know the whereabouts of Madam Qi?"

Wei Qi clapped his hands approvingly, "Miss Zhao is indeed very clever. Let's start with something simple. The wooden box in his hand is within easy reach for Miss Zhao, isn't it?"

Zhao Yan laughed and said, "That wooden box is the Qi family's divine artifact 'Hanyu.' What use is it if it can't be opened? Besides, Mo Yun already knew about our alliance. He may be generous in words, but he certainly won't hand over the wooden box to me easily..."

Wei Qi sighed softly, "My second brother seems dull-witted, but he's not easy to fool. However, with Miss Zhao's abilities, it shouldn't be too difficult for her either."

Zhao Yan nodded. "Since we've formed an alliance, it's naturally mutually beneficial. This humble servant should do my utmost."

Wei Qi smiled, then, as if remembering something, said, "Compared to my second brother, my good-for-nothing third brother is so naive it's worrying... Miss Zhao, taking care of my naive third brother all these years must have been very tiring, right?"

Zhao Yan calmly replied, "Indeed. However, it will be over soon..." She smiled, "Congratulations to the young master on tomorrow's martial arts competition."

Wei Qi's expression turned serious. "Miss Zhao, you've always been by my third brother's side, but do you know just how capable he is?"

Zhao Yan was puzzled.

Wei Qi said, "The Hero's Fortress's unique skill, 'Swallow Step,' is a set of footwork that is light, agile, and swift, unparalleled in the world. It took me a month to learn this footwork, and my second brother a month and a half. But Wei Ying only took three days."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan was surprised.

"He is exceptionally intelligent and quick-witted. The former lord knew this long ago, which is why he considered passing the position to him." Wei Qi spoke coldly, showing no warmth towards his family. "Miss Zhao should know better than I do... He is not only exceptionally talented, but also kind and benevolent. His current laziness and dissipation are merely a facade. If he had ambition, the position of lord would be his only choice."

Zhao Yan was getting annoyed. "Does the young master mean he can't beat him?"

Wei Qi lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, "To win, why fight head-on?... However, I still want to ask Miss Zhao, are you truly ruthless?"

Zhao Yan smiled dismissively, "Now that things have come to this, can I turn back?"

After she finished speaking, she turned and left.

Wei Qi watched her retreating figure and muttered to himself, "What a pity..."

...

June 27th, 9:00 AM.

The training ground inside Hero's Fortress was already prepared, awaiting the outcome of the battle.

Wei Qi stood on the field, closing his eyes to rest.

But the纨绔子弟 (playboy) Third Young Master Wei was nowhere to be seen.

The clansmen watching the battle, along with the three heroes, began to express their dissatisfaction.

Lady Xi, sitting under the shade of the pavilion, gradually became nervous, glancing at Zhao Yan beside her every now and then. Zhao Yan gently fanned her, smiling silently.

After about 45 minutes, the group finally saw Wei Ying.

He slung a long sword over his shoulder and carried a wine jug, walking slowly towards the arena. His clothes, perhaps due to the heat, were loose and disheveled. With an indifferent expression, he walked onto the platform as if no one else was there. This arrogance only fueled the crowd's discontent.

When Wei Qi saw him arrive, he opened his eyes and smiled at him.

Wei Ying put down the wine pot and smiled, "Brother, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

“Not long.” Wei Qi shook his head. “Not long at all.” As he spoke, a glint of light flashed in his eyes. He turned to the side, took his longsword, and stood with it on his back.

“Although we are brothers, the position of fortress lord is crucial to the rise and fall of the nation, and I will not show any mercy. Let us have a fair and square contest,” Wei Qi said in a loud voice.

Wei Ying nodded, "Okay."

This conversation caused Lady Xi to frown. The wording clearly indicated that Wei Qi was positioning himself as the legitimate heir, while Wei Ying was the one challenging him. This reversal of roles was truly worrying.

“Yan’er, this…” Madam tide raised her eyes and spoke.

A strange look appeared on Zhao Yan's face. She looked at the two men and said softly, "Don't worry, Madam, I've taken care of everything..."

As she spoke, the two men in the training ground drew their swords and began to fight.

Both men used the Hero's Fortress's signature technique, "Swallow Step," a movement of unparalleled speed. Their figures flashed past each other and then separated in an instant, too fast to be seen clearly. Only the dazzling light of their swords shone through.

Even seasoned veterans like the Three Heroes were stunned by the scene and exclaimed in admiration.

However, after a short while, Wei Ying showed signs of defeat. His sword moves became increasingly chaotic, and he gradually lost the ability to suppress Wei Qi's attacks.

Wei Qi frowned. Although Wei Ying's swordplay was chaotic, her footwork was perfectly steady. Wei Qi wasn't particularly skilled in swordsmanship, so expecting to subdue Wei Ying's attacks was a stretch. He wouldn't gain any advantage in the "Swallow Steps" either. Since joining the Divine Firmament Sect, palm techniques had become his specialty. While he could subdue his opponent with palm strikes, it would inevitably reveal his allegiance to the Divine Firmament Sect. Indeed, from the start, winning "fairly" against Wei Ying on this stage was extremely difficult…

Wei Ying was completely oblivious to his opponent's unusual behavior. He had no intention of winning and naturally didn't bother to analyze Wei Qi's sword moves. He simply felt that Wei Qi, as the eldest son, was naturally slightly superior in martial arts. He swung his sword, dodged Wei Qi's blade, and, estimating that the time was right, feinted, stepping forward with his left foot to disrupt Wei Qi's footwork. He slightly leaned forward, revealing an opening, ready to accept defeat.

However, Wei Qi ignored this flaw. Instead of drawing his sword, he raised his leg and kicked Wei Ying in the waist.

Wei Ying was a little confused, but instinctively avoided it.

At this moment, Wei Qi pulled back his leg, steadied himself, and swept his sword horizontally.

Wei Ying leaped into the air, dodging the attack. Before she could even regain her footing, a chilling sword blade approached, aimed directly at her chest. Such a direct attack was easy to deflect; it was certainly not a killing move. Seeing this, Wei Ying swung her sword to deflect the blade, then fell to the ground, feigning defeat.

However, just as he swung his sword, Wei Qi suddenly swayed, and his sword fell to the ground. Wei Ying's blade sliced squarely across his arm.

In an instant, crimson blood was drawn out by the sword's edge and sprayed down.

Wei Ying was stunned, never expecting that her move would have such an effect.

Lady Xi, unable to contain her excitement, stood up and stared intently at the situation on the field.

Wei Qi knelt on the ground, blood flowing down his arm and staining his sleeves red.

Wei Ying quickly sheathed her sword, wanting to step forward and ask.

At this moment, Wei Qi looked up, his expression filled with grief and indignation. He gritted his teeth and weakly uttered, "Despicable!" As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to have used up all his strength and collapsed softly to the ground.

Wei Ying was puzzled and stood still.

Seeing that something was amiss, the three heroes went up to the training ground to investigate.

Suddenly, Jiang Ji, one of the three heroes, exclaimed in surprise: "Bone-softening powder!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in an uproar. Many turned their gazes toward Lady tide.

Lady tide was terrified and unconsciously stood next to Zhao Yan.

Zhao Yan gently took her hand, ignoring the sharp gazes around them, and met Wei Ying's disdainful eyes with a smile.

...

Heartless and Unfeeling [Part 2]

Poisoning is the most despicable and shameful practice in the martial arts world, especially when done during a martial arts competition.

Hero's Fortress did not invite any outsiders to this martial arts competition, so the poisoner must have been someone from within the fortress. And within the fortress, the only person with such a motive is likely Wei Ying. His past behavior only fuels suspicion.

Immediately, all the blame was directed at Wei Ying and her son. However, the Three Heroes believed that this matter was of great importance and should not be taken lightly. In addition, Wei Qi was poisoned by the bone-softening powder and had also suffered a sword wound, so it was not advisable to delay. Therefore, they calmed everyone down and hastily ended the duel.

However, the rumors and gossip spread uncontrollably, carrying an ominous air.

When Madam Xi returned to her room, her face was as pale as paper, and her fingers were icy cold despite the sweltering heat. Zhao Yan, as usual, supported her, her face gentle and her eyes slightly lowered.

Lady Xi sat down by the bedside, tightly holding Zhao Yan's hand, and said in a trembling voice, "Yan'er, what should we do... what should we do..."

Zhao Yan knelt down and said, "Madam, you're tired, go to sleep..."

Lady tide shook her head, her eyes gradually welling up with tears. She hesitated for a long time, unsure of what to say or ask.

At this moment, Wei Ying burst in and rushed to the bedside. His face was filled with anger, and without saying a word, he forcefully pulled Zhao Yan up.

Upon seeing this, Lady Xi exclaimed in surprise, "Wenxi? What are you doing!"

Wei Ying pulled Zhao Yan along and walked straight out.

Lady Xi hurriedly stood up and stopped him, "Wenxi, let go of Yan'er!"

Wei Ying stopped, her eyes filled with hatred. "Mother! Even now, you're still protecting her?!"

Lady Xi remained silent, but tried her best to pry Wei Ying's hand off Zhao Yan, though she could not overcome his strength.

Zhao Yan's expression remained calm, with a slight smile, as she said, "Third Young Master, I wonder what this humble servant has done wrong?"

Wei Ying turned around, gritting her teeth, and said, "You know perfectly well what you've done!"

Zhao Yan's smile hadn't faded, but her voice was indifferent, "This servant didn't do anything..."

"Now that things have come to this, you still want to deny it?" Wei Ying tightened her grip, as if she wanted to crush her wrist. "Besides you, who else would do such a despicable thing as poisoning?! Besides you, who else would harm someone like this!"

Zhao Yan looked up at him. After a moment of silence, she smiled and replied, "What the Third Young Master says is quite right. Everyone in Hero's Fortress is a hero. Apart from this humble servant, no one would be so despicable and shameless..."

"Enough with the nonsense! Come with me to see Sanying!" Wei Ying grabbed her hard and pulled her outside.

"Stop!" Madam Xi grabbed Zhao Yan. "I ordered her to do this! If you really want to find the culprit, arrest me instead!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Ying became even more agitated. "Mother! What kind of drug did she give you? She has harmed people time and time again. Keeping her around will only lead to your own downfall one day!"

Lady Xi was already in tears, her voice filled with sorrow and indignation, "To this day, you are the one who has harmed me!"

Wei Ying was slightly taken aback, and involuntarily loosened her grip on Zhao Yan's hand.

"If you had focused on the affairs of the fortress, the clan would have already granted you the position of fortress lord. How could you have ended up summoning Yingyang back to the fortress for a martial arts contest today? If you had diligently practiced martial arts, why would I have needed to poison you to help you win today?" Madam Xi embraced Zhao Yan and wept, "If you insist on taking Yan'er away today, then we shall sever all ties, and I shall pretend I never gave birth to such an unfilial son as you!"

These words stunned Wei Ying, who stood there for a long time before finally speaking, "Am I an unfilial son?" He laughed angrily, "Fine, consider me unfilial! But at least I can distinguish between good and evil! And today, I will not tolerate her doing evil again!"

After Wei Ying finished speaking, she pushed Madam tide away, pulled Zhao Yan up again, and walked out.

Lady tide rushed forward and grabbed him.

Just as the group was arguing, Zhang Jiyuan of the Three Heroes appeared at the door. Upon seeing the situation, he frowned slightly and said, "Wenxi, how can you be so rude to the Madam?"

As soon as Wei Ying saw Zhang Jiyuan, she pulled Zhao Yan in front of him and said, "Uncle Zhang, she is the one who poisoned him!"

Zhang Jiyuan asked, "Is there any evidence?"

Wei Ying remained angry. "Who else could it be besides her?"

After listening, Zhang Jiyuan sighed, went inside, and closed the door. He glanced at Madam tide and said, "Madam, Jiang Ji and Luo Wu have begun investigating the murderer. Do you have anything to say to me?"