Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 133

She looked up, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Why did you save me? Didn't you hate me?"

Mo Yun said, "Don't think too much, just rest and recover."

He was about to leave when Zhao Yan grabbed his wrist.

"Don't leave me alone..." she sobbed, "I have nothing left... I'm so scared..." Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Her pitiful appearance was heartbreaking. "Will you abandon me too?"

"I can't," he replied, three simple yet powerful words.

Zhao Yan smiled through her tears, holding his hand and pressing it against her cheek, "In this world, the only person who truly cares for me is you..."

Mo Yun gently withdrew his hand and said, "It's not just me."

Zhao Yan was somewhat frustrated. She clutched her wound and frowned. Then she changed the subject, weakly saying, "Why is God treating me like this? I have no family left..." She smiled sadly, "Young Master, he will never let me go. The world is so big, but there is no place for me..." As she spoke, her voice choked with sobs.

"Let's talk about these things when you're better," Mo Yun said, gently patting her shoulder.

Zhao Yan cried even more bitterly. She reached out and hugged him tightly. "Take me away, even if it's just to Qi Han... I don't want to live in fear anymore... Just leave here... Please take me away..."

As Mo Yun listened to her sobs, images involuntarily flashed through his mind. Long ago, in the underground palace of Jiyu Manor, she had cried just like this, so weak and helpless…

He vaguely sensed something, gently pushed her away, and said, "If you truly want to see your master, I will naturally take you to see him." He stood up, avoiding Zhao Yan's eyes, "You should rest first."

After he finished speaking, he walked out the door indifferently.

Zhao Yan stood frozen in place, watching him leave in surprise.

Outside the door, the cheerful voices of the villagers could be heard.

"Xiao Mo, how about we kill a chicken to replenish our strength?"

"The patient shouldn't take strong tonics; let's just make some plain porridge instead!"

Those sounds lingered in Zhao Yan's ears, further agitating her. The tears in her eyes had completely dried, and her gaze was sharp as a knife.

...

In the days that followed, she remained sorrowful, begging Mo Yun to take her away. But Mo Yun remained indifferent. That pitiful state contrasted with her cold indifference, sparking a new round of speculation among the villagers.

After a period of recuperation, Zhao Yan was able to get up and move around with difficulty. The villagers greeted her with smiles and would always give her whatever good food they had. That kindness, however, only made her more anxious.

She walked away from the village, away from the noise of people. The summer heat in the mountains was unbearable. After walking for only a short while, her coarse clothes were soaked with sweat. She was a frail woman, and with her injuries, she was too weak to walk any further. She found a shady spot under a tree and rested.

She had just sat down when a figure suddenly flashed by and landed in front of her.

"Miss Zhao, you're finally awake." The newcomer was dressed as a woodcutter, but his tone revealed the sharpness of someone from the martial arts world.

Zhao Yan frowned, then smiled and said, "It seems he is one of Young Master Yingyang's subordinates. ...Speaking of which, calling him Young Master is not appropriate; he should be addressed as Lord of the Fortress."

The woodcutter nodded. "The lord of the fortress has been worried about Miss Zhao's injuries and specially ordered me to come and check on her."

Zhao Yan sighed softly and said, "He's not worried about me, he's worried that I won't follow the plan. Mo Yun is still wary of me, and it will take some time for him to reveal the whereabouts of the Qi family."

The woodcutter said, "It would be best if the young lady could follow the plan. The fortress master instructed his subordinates that if the young lady still cannot find out the whereabouts of Lady Qi in ten days, his subordinates will help Miss Zhao. If there is any offense at that time, please forgive me."

Zhao Yan nodded weakly, without saying a word.

The woodcutter took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Yan. "This is bone-softening powder. Miss Zhao, please keep it with you for any eventuality."

Zhao Yan took the porcelain bottle, remaining silent.

The woodcutter, finding himself speechless, took his leave.

Zhao Yan stared silently at the porcelain vase, the events that had unfolded at Hero's Fortress flashing before her eyes. She couldn't help but think of Lady Xi, and the hand that had reached out to her. Leave Hero's Fortress… even if she left, where could she go? The world was vast, and there was nowhere left for her. She could never turn back…

She put away the porcelain vase, a bitter smile on her face. Now, she had only one thought left in her mind: to destroy the Qi family, to destroy the culprit who had caused her unfortunate life!

A sinister glint returned to her eyes. She leaned against a tree, slowly rose, and began to walk back.

Summer weather is unpredictable; just moments ago the sun was shining brightly, but suddenly dark clouds gathered. Large raindrops poured down, turning the mountainsides watery.

The rain came suddenly, and Zhao Yan had nowhere to hide, so she could only let the rain soak her to the bone. The rainwater that fell on her was warm, and she walked indifferently, hugging her arms. The mountain path was muddy, and she slipped and fell to the ground. Unable to get up, she just sat there on the ground, letting herself be miserable.

Suddenly, someone appeared in the rain and mist.

Zhao Yan looked up and saw Mo Yun, who was also soaked to the bone. He looked extremely nervous, and his brows furrowed tightly when he saw her. He squatted down, draped the raincoat he was holding over her, then picked her up and hurried back.

When he returned to the village, all the villagers surrounded him with great concern.

After Mo Yun brought Zhao Yan back to her room, a kind woman came up to dry Zhao Yan off the rain.

After changing their clothes and feeling comfortable, the villagers left in twos and threes.

After everyone left, Mo Yun spoke, saying, "Your injuries haven't healed yet. If you need to go out, let me know."

Zhao Yan sat on the bed and smiled gently, "Mm."

Mo Yun looked at her, remained silent for a moment, then took out a porcelain bottle and handed it to her.

Upon seeing the porcelain bottle, Zhao Yan was shocked. This was the bone-softening powder that Wei Qi's men had given her earlier, and she had forgotten to put it away when she changed her clothes.

"I don't know what you want this for, but if you're trying to get back at me, just say so," Mo Yun said, putting down the porcelain bottle.

After he finished speaking, he turned to leave.

"Since you know I'm lying to you, why pretend to be so kind?" Zhao Yan said coldly.

Mo Yun stopped. "I really want to save you."

"Are you crazy?" Zhao Yan dropped her pretense, her tone filled with cold mockery. "You know what I've done. You know better than anyone whether I'm good or bad. You say you genuinely want to save me. Do I have to call you a jerk before you'll stop?"

Mo Yun turned around and said, "No matter what you say, I will not stop."

Zhao Yan sneered, "What exactly did Qi Han give you that made you abandon your dignity?"

Mo Yun replied, "Everything I did today was not on Master's orders."

Zhao Yan said, "That's right, how could a heartless and ungrateful man like him possibly remember a daughter like me..."

“You and Master are actually very similar,” Mo Yun said.

Zhao Yan was slightly angry. "What nonsense are you talking about?!"

“What you say isn’t necessarily what you think,” Mo Yun said. “Your master is like that, and so are you. As time goes on, you’ll even be able to deceive yourself. Zhao Yan, do you know what you truly want?”

Zhao Yan's face showed contempt. "Nonsense. Fine, I'll tell you, I want wealth and luxury, fine clothes and sumptuous food, I want everyone in this world to never dare to look down on me again!"

"The Qi family has a long-standing legacy and immense wealth. If you desire riches and luxury, simply return to the Qi family with me, and everything will be within your grasp. As the eldest daughter of the Qi family, who would look down on you?" Mo Yun's tone was casual, as if she were stating a very simple matter. "If you cannot let go of your resentment and refuse to acknowledge your master, with your looks and intelligence, finding a suitable husband would be easy. Madam Xi treats you like her own daughter, so why would she be stingy with your dowry? Even if you cannot accept all of this, in this vast world, is there not a place for you to settle down? In this very mountain village today, is there even a single person who looks down on you?"

These words left Zhao Yan speechless. She shouted, somewhat exasperated, "I don't need you to lecture me! How I live is my business!"

Mo Yun frowned slightly as he looked at her. His gaze held no malice, but rather pity.

When Zhao Yan noticed that look, hatred flashed in her eyes. "You pity me?"

Mo Yun avoided her gaze and said, "I just don't want to see you continue like this..."

"What, you want to save me from all my sins? Mo Yun, you think too highly of yourself! I may be utterly wicked, but I enjoy it. I don't need your help!" Zhao Yan's emotions grew increasingly intense, her voice filled with anguish.

Mo Yun calmly said, "In the martial world, who doesn't have a couple of innocent lives on their hands? And you, you haven't even killed anyone, yet you call yourself 'utterly wicked'?"

Mo Yun's words struck Zhao Yan like a thunderbolt. However, she retorted even more fiercely, "Yes, compared to you poisoning an unborn baby, what I did is nothing!"

Mo Yun's expression showed helplessness. "Would saying things like that make you feel any better?"

Zhao Yan was stunned and speechless.

"Are you happy now?" Mo Yun asked, looking down.

Zhao Yan felt as if so much had been negated by that question. Yes, she had betrayed Wei Ying and Madam Xi, indirectly harmed the Three Heroes, and taken revenge on everyone who had wronged her. But was she happy? Why could the emptiness in her heart remain unfilled, and why could nothing she did bring her satisfaction? At that moment, Zhao Yan felt a chill in her heart; what had once been solid began to slowly crumble, never to heal again.

"Get out..." she stammered, managing to utter the only words she could think of, "Get out of here!"

Mo Yun said nothing more and left the cabin.

The sound of rain outside was chaotic and noisy, filling her ears. But Zhao Yan seemed oblivious to it all; only one question lingered in her mind: What is it that you truly want?

...

Feeling utterly ashamed [Chinese]

Zhao Yan slept lightly all night, and when she woke up, it was already broad daylight. She got up and saw a bowl of congee and a bowl of medicinal soup on the table in the room. She slowly walked to the table, looked at these things for a while, and then pushed open the door and went out.

The sun was blazing outside, and yesterday's heavy rain seemed to have never happened.

The village children played under the scorching sun, their bare arms and cheeks tanned a deep red, but they didn't seem to care, playing with abandon. The elderly rested in the shade of the eaves, fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans and chatting. Women washed clothes by the mountain stream, laughing and talking. Not far away, a few barren fields lay in the fields, where the village men were working.

This scene left Zhao Yan feeling dazed.

Just then, she heard the sound of blacksmithing, one sound after another coming from the side.

She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a shed built between several shabby houses, with a simple stove inside. Mo Yun was intently forging iron.

Several villagers stood beside him, one of whom, carrying a hoe, said with a worried expression, "Xiao Mo, could you help me fix this hoe?"

A person nearby mocked, "I say, you're too stingy. This hoe is in such a state, you should go to the market and buy a new one another day!"

The villager looked troubled and said only, "Keep repairing it, keep repairing it."

Mo Yun stopped what he was doing, took the hoe, looked at it, and said, "I still have some scrap iron here. If I melt it down and use it to patch things up, it should last for a while longer."

"Oh, thank you so much! I'll treat you to drinks tonight!"

Mo Yun looked up and laughed, "Drinking? Sister-in-law, you're not angry anymore?"

"Tsk, Xiao Mo, why don't you just say it out loud?"

After saying that, they all laughed.

In Zhao Yan's memory, Mo Yun rarely smiled; he was always indifferent. Yet now, he smiled so sincerely, a smile that came from the heart, utterly genuine.

She looked at the hoe in his hand and felt bewildered.

"Qi family weapons are priceless," everyone in the martial arts world desires them. Yet, he, a descendant of the Qi family, is here repairing farm tools. And he does it with a clear conscience. She doesn't understand, she really doesn't understand… Doesn't he feel wronged, doesn't he feel sad?

However, his smile was the answer. That kind of satisfaction, she had never experienced. She did everything, believing she could manipulate everything, but in the end, she was just a pawn being used, never truly happy. She could no longer remember what she really wanted…

In her daze, someone suddenly bumped into her. She stumbled and almost fell. Then she saw a four- or five-year-old girl fall to the ground. Children in the mountains are usually raised roughly, so the fall wasn't serious. The girl wobbled to her feet, her face completely indifferent. However, the next moment, she burst into tears, her cries so piercing that they startled Zhao Yan.

She looked down and saw the little girl clutching a piece of silk. The silk had long since faded, its color now a dull gray tinged with dirt. The patterns embroidered on it were rough, the threads long since unraveled, and the faint outline of plum blossoms was still discernible. However, a large hole had appeared in the silk, likely caused by a fall and accidental tearing. The little girl stared at the silk, weeping uncontrollably.

Hearing the noise, the girl's mother rushed over and exclaimed, "Oh dear, I told you to be careful! Now that it's broken, what are we going to do?"

The little girl's sobs were choked, and she couldn't speak.