Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 142

Xi Yuan suddenly realized, "Wei Qi..."

Xiao Xiao nodded. "That's right. The person most likely to teach Hall Master Fang the 'Nether Thunder Palm' is Wei Qi. And everything that happened in the Crystal Chamber that day was also arranged by him!"

"..." Xi Yuan's mind was in complete turmoil, and he didn't know whether to believe it or not.

Just then, someone walked in and said, "The events inside the Crystal Chamber of Hero's Fortress were indeed orchestrated by Young Master Yingyang."

Hearing the voice, Xiao Xiao was somewhat surprised. She looked up and saw Zhao Yan standing in the doorway. Her face was still pale, and her expression was haggard, but there was a hint of composure in her eyes. She stood there quietly and slowly said, "That day in the Hero's Fortress dungeon, he tacitly agreed to this matter with Lady Xi and Wei Ying, and I was there too..."

Xi Yuan slowly raised his head and looked at Zhao Yan, "Do you think I'll believe you?"

Zhao Yan chuckled, "Don't believe me? Hmph, that's right. How could you possibly guess such a profound scheme? However, it's no secret now. Wei Ying and Lady Xi both suffered, and the Hero's Fortress disciples guarding the prisoners in the dungeon heard everything clearly. The only one still in the dark is you, my ally..."

Xiao Xiao was secretly delighted upon hearing this. Most of her previous statements were speculation, but she hadn't expected Zhao Yan to not only have testimony but also witnesses. This meant her attempts to sow discord were now irrefutable and foolproof. Just as she was thinking this, she heard Zhao Yan laugh…

"Hahaha... What is the Celestial Master? In this world, only Young Master Yingyang is qualified to rule! In terms of strategy and cunning, who among you can rival Young Master Yingyang? Hahaha, Lady Qian, aren't you loyal to the Celestial Master? But you've been following Young Master Yingyang's orders from beginning to end. To eliminate dissidents, he even killed the Three Heroes. Tell me, won't he kill you? Won't he kill the Celestial Master? Hahaha..." Zhao Yan laughed maniacally. She looked at Xiao Xiao and said, "Miss Zuo... your luck is truly remarkable, but it ends here. Young Master Yingyang will soon make a comeback, and all of you will ultimately have no choice but to submit! Hahaha..." She paced around the hall, laughing, "I told you long ago, those who betrayed me will suffer a hundred times more than I have... Hahaha..."

Xiao Xiao looked at Zhao Yan and understood something. She spoke to those around her, "She's gone mad. Who let her out? Take her away!"

Upon hearing this, Hiko and Oniu immediately stepped forward and dragged Zhao Yan, who was still laughing, out of the room.

After a brief silence in the hall, Lian Zhao looked at Xi Yuan, whose expression was complicated, and pondered for a moment before saying, "His Majesty has summoned the Shenxiao Sect back to court, but the Celestial Master has not appeared yet. Princess, are you sure you have been acting on the Celestial Master's orders all along?"

Xi Yuan stared blankly at everyone, without saying a word.

“My lord,” Xiao Xiao said earnestly, “if I’m not mistaken, Wei Qi is falsely claiming to be acting on the Celestial Master’s orders, using the Shenxiao Sect to do his bidding. If he succeeds, he’ll gain the world. If he fails, the Shenxiao Sect will take the blame for his treason.” She turned to Lian Zhao, “Am I right?”

When Lian Zhao was asked this question, he smiled and said, "That's right. If everything is true, then by protecting Wei Qi, you are actually harming the Celestial Master and the Divine Firmament Sect, and you are disgracing the word 'loyalty'."

Xi Yuan hesitated several times, frowning in deep thought. After a long while, she finally understood. She spoke weakly, "There's a secret branch of the Shenxiao Sect in Nanfeng City. Wei Qi might be there..."

Hearing these words, Xiao Xiao felt a little relieved.

Xi Yuan looked up and said again, "...If Shenxiao has nothing to do with this matter..."

Lian Zhao replied, "As I just said, as long as you can atone for your crimes through meritorious service, I can report to the Emperor and have all the innocent people pardoned."

Xi Yuan nodded and slumped to the ground.

...

As Xiao Xiao and his party exited the door, they saw Bi Zi, Gui Jiu, and Zhao Yan standing not far away. Upon seeing them come out, they all bowed.

Zhao Yan hesitated for a moment, then slowly stepped forward, before she could speak. Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "Miss Zhao, thank you for what you did earlier."

Zhao Yan was slightly startled and gently shook her head. After hesitating for a long time, she said, "Alliance Leader Zuo... I... I have a request."

Although Xiao Xiao wasn't entirely sure, she could guess most of it, so she nodded happily and replied, "Go ahead."

Tears welled up in Zhao Yan's eyes, and her voice was weak as she said, "I want to see him..."

Xiao Xiao glanced at her, then at Lian Zhao and Helan Qifeng behind her, nodded slightly, and led Zhao Yan away.

...

The Hero's Fortress branch was designed in the style of a Jiangnan courtyard, with small bridges, spirit stones, and seasonal flowers, creating a gentle and charming atmosphere. When the martial arts figures in the alliance attacked and destroyed this branch earlier, they did so without much effort, and the scenery remained completely undamaged.

Passing a waterside pavilion, one arrives at the guest rooms. After the Qi family was defeated, their followers were housed here, including the severely injured Mo Yun.

Holding the mirror, Zhao Yan slowly followed behind Xiao Xiao. Everyone knew about her collaboration with Wei Qi. Those who saw her all looked at her with disdain. But for the first time, she ignored those looks. She carefully followed silently with the utmost humility.

When they arrived in front of Mo Yun's room, Xiao Xiao stopped and looked at Zhao Yan. She then noticed that Zhao Yan's hand was tightly gripping the mirror, and her knuckles were slightly white from the force. Xiao Xiao stood there for a moment, and seeing that Zhao Yan still did not make any move, she realized something and said, "Miss Zhao, please make yourself at home. I will take my leave now."

Zhao Yan watched her leave, then hesitated for a long time, ultimately unsure whether she should knock. After struggling with the decision, she reached out and gently pushed the door open.

The door was not closed, and it slowly opened with her help.

Zhao Yan was slightly startled. After hesitating for a moment, she mustered her courage and stepped inside.

In the room, only Mo Yun was there. He lay on the bed, whether asleep or unconscious, it was unclear.

Zhao Yan walked to the bedside, and upon seeing him, she was already in tears.

She reached out and gently wiped away her tears, trying not to make a sound of sobbing.

She couldn't help but think of so many things, and she remembered him saying: "The family is reunited, and we will never be apart again."

She suddenly realized how far she had traveled before, deliberately taking detours to places that were so easily accessible. Memories of the past flooded her mind, leaving her feeling lost and disoriented.

She slowly knelt before the bed, gently grasping his wrist, her voice choked with sobs, and whispered, "I didn't betray the Qi family... I didn't lead Wei Qi there. I truly wanted to see him..." Her fingers slowly closed, her vision blurring, "I didn't lie to you, you have to believe me... I really didn't lie to you..."

Gradually, she broke down in tears and could no longer speak.

At that moment, her hand was grasped from behind. She looked up with tears in her eyes and saw that Mo Yun had opened his eyes and was quietly looking at her.

"I didn't betray you..." Her voice was weak and trembling, utterly desolate.

Mo Yun nodded and said, "I believe you..."

Zhao Yan laughed, then gripped Mo Yun's hand tightly, no longer suppressing her emotions, and burst into tears.

Mo Yun looked at her, smiled faintly, and remained silent.

Qi Han saw this scene when she entered the room.

Noticing someone enter, Zhao Yan turned around and saw Qi Han. Her crying stopped abruptly, and fear filled her expression.

Qi Han frowned slightly, then his gaze fell upon the diamond-shaped mirror she held in her arms. In that instant, his heart, like the wooden box "Hanyu," was easily opened… He had used the most subtle method to place all the unspoken words into that box. If she had no expectations, she naturally wouldn't have opened it. But since he hadn't given her hope, how could he let her harbor any? Seventeen years ago, he was wrong, and now, he was wrong again…

Zhao Yan looked at Qi Han, still at a loss, when Mo Yun raised his hand and gently pressed her shoulder.

At that moment, it was as if courage had been bestowed upon her. She timidly, in a hesitant voice, whispered, "Father..."

Qi Han felt a warmth in his heart, and his eyes welled up with tears. He took a deep breath, looked away, and nodded hastily.

All the knots in her heart were untied in an instant. Zhao Yan smiled, no longer in pain.

Qi Han looked at her and said, "Take good care of him."

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked out. Only after he had gone some distance did a smile appear on his face.

Actually, it's very simple. Just nod and say a word, and everything you've lost will come back. Having something is not difficult at all.

He looked up and smiled calmly.

Just then, he suddenly noticed someone vaguely hiding among the trees and plants of the artificial hill not far away. After recognizing the person, he spoke and called out, "Leader Zuo."

Hearing the call, Xiao Xiao was startled and timidly came out, "Uh... Master Qi..."

Qi Han smiled slightly and said, "I owe the Alliance Leader a favor. In the future, if there is anything I can do to help the Qi family, please don't hesitate to ask."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao immediately shook her head, "Master Qi, you're exaggerating. I didn't do anything."

"I owe you a debt of gratitude for being able to open the wooden box 'Hanyu.' But how did the Alliance Leader learn how to open 'Hanyu'?"

Xiao Xiao chuckled and said, "When I was a child, I saw the Qi family's famous soldiers' manual, and it was by chance that I guessed the secret of the slipknot. It was all luck."

"The Qi Family's Famous Soldiers' Manual?" Qi Han was somewhat puzzled, but then he remembered something, raised his eyes, and asked, "Does the Alliance Leader have any connection with 'Ghost Master' Han Qing?"

Xiao Xiao was somewhat surprised, "It is indeed my master."

Qi Han laughed, “It’s fate…” He looked Xiao Xiao up and down and said, “I met you more than ten years ago, and I was the one who gave you the Qi family’s famous soldiers’ manual.”

Xiao Xiao was stunned, her face filled with disbelief.

Qi Han didn't explain, but only asked, "Little girl, where is your master now?"

Xiao Xiao could only recount her master's death in a light-hearted manner.

Upon hearing this, Qi Han felt a slight pang of melancholy. "With his martial arts skills, who in the world could kill him... Oh well." He suddenly remembered something and said, "You should know the secret of the Nine Emperors, right? Since you know, why bother with all this trouble?"

"Huh?" Xiao Xiao was a little confused. Judging from Qi Han's tone, he should know the secrets of the Nine Emperors, but that last sentence was so calm and casual that it was astonishing.

Qi Han sensed something was amiss, smiled, and said, "You don't know?"

She swallowed hard and nodded obediently.

Qi Han's smile held a hint of sympathy. "Then I'll tell you."

At such a time, according to her master's teachings, she should have answered decisively: "I don't want to know!" However, times have changed, and now Xiaoxiao feels that if knowing the truth could truly save everyone from worrying, it wouldn't hurt to listen. Besides, judging from Qi Han's expression, this secret... doesn't seem to be that precious.

So, Xiao Xiao nodded and waited for Qi Han to continue.

Qi Han's eyes held a hint of disdain as he said, "There is no such thing as the Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts in this world."

This statement greatly surprised Xiaoxiao.

"The Seven Luminaries: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, plus the Big Dipper and the Southern Dipper. These nine names are just for the sake of sounding nice." Qi Han smiled and shook his head. "Any weapon of the Qi family in the world could become one of the Nine Emperors' Divine Weapons."

Xiao Xiao didn't dare to interrupt and continued listening.

Qi Han said, "Throughout history, countless heroes have bowed down for famous swords. Only those who are superior in martial arts, status, and virtue have the ability to possess the divine weapons of my Qi family. As the saying goes in the martial world, the owner of the Qi family's greatest masterpiece, the 'Nine Emperors Divine Weapons,' must be a hero of the times, an outstanding person among men."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiao exclaimed in surprise, "Master Qi, do you mean that the martial arts world created the 'Nine Emperors' on its own? And the so-called 'Nine Emperors Divine Weapons' are the nine weapons wielded by the nine strongest people?"

Qi Han smiled, "It doesn't necessarily mean the nine strongest individuals; it could be the nine strongest sects, or the nine strongest armies..."

Xiao Xiao lowered his head, pondering. Who possesses the Nine Emperors? So far, they are: Taiping City, Hero's Fortress, the Shennong Clan, the Lian Clan of Divine Arrows, the Qi Clan, the Seventy-Two Islands of the East Sea, the Yue Lan Sword Sect, the Po Feng Liu...

"'He who possesses the Nine Emperors will rule the world,' that saying is true. If one can obtain the assistance of the one who possesses the Nine Emperors, what is there to worry about in conquering the world?" Qi Han sighed with a smile. "However, how difficult would that be... Some people scheme and plot, thinking they hold the secrets of heaven, but in the end, it's all just a pipe dream. How laughable. Alliance Leader Zuo, let's leave the matter of the Nine Emperors to ourselves."

After Qi Han finished speaking, he took his leave.

Xiao Xiao stood there, carefully pondering the meaning behind those words. "Taiping City" boasted thousands of acres of fertile land, easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it an excellent city; "Hero's Fortress" was wealthy, with numerous disciples, and could replenish its resources at any time; the "Shennong Family" possessed divine physicians and excellent medicines, as well as abundant medicinal resources; the "Divine Arrow Lian Family" had capable generals of the current dynasty, wielding military power; the "Qi Family" was skilled at forging divine weapons, practically an arms factory; the "Seventy-Two Islands of the East China Sea" monopolized East China Sea shipping and also had influence over inland shipping; the "Broken Wind Flow" had disciples all over the world, and also absorbed talented individuals from the "Qu Fang," "Xuan Ling Dao," "Xiu Feng Zhai," and "Ji Yu Shan Zhuang" sects; the Yue Lan Sword Sect had over a thousand skilled swordsmen…

Leaving aside the ninth weapon, these eight families alone are already quite formidable. If someone could truly unify the "Nine Emperors," ruling the world would not be just a pipe dream. However, Qi Han is right; who in this world possesses such ability?

As she was thinking, she heard Lian Zhao's voice from the side.

"Little one".

Upon hearing the voice, Xiao Xiao immediately shook off her thoughts, looked up, and smiled, "Lian Zhao!"

Lian Zhao walked to her side and said, "I've been looking for you for a long time. The alliance is ready and we're about to head to Nanfeng. You should get ready too."

Xiao Xiao nodded and smiled, "Let's go then." She generously took Lian Zhao's hand and strode forward.

Seeing that she was happy, Lian Zhao smiled as well. However, he remained silent.

Xiao Xiao sensed something was wrong and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you unhappy?"

Lian Zhao remained silent for a moment before speaking, "His Majesty issued a secret order... Once all the divine artifacts are gathered, all Shenxiao disciples who know the secrets of the Nine Emperors will be purged. I've always believed that Shenxiao harbored rebellious intentions, so this secret order is naturally without fault..." His eyes showed worry, "But as you just said, perhaps the Shenxiao sect truly intends to submit to the court. I only hope that this secret order can be reversed, and that the innocent won't be implicated..."

After listening, Xiao Xiao understood some things. A ruler's word is law; once he has said he will kill, there is no reason to retract his order. Indeed, anyone who gets involved with the Nine Emperors is destined for misfortune…

Everyone says the martial world is bloody, but the struggles and political intrigues of the imperial court are many times more brutal than those in the martial world. How many innocent people were among those piles of bones?

Seeing his furrowed brow and troubled expression, Xiao Xiao grasped his hand tightly and said with a smile, "Wouldn't it have been wise of me to submit to the imperial court long ago?"