Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 145

Xiao Xiao was puzzled and was about to descend the secret passage first when Lian Zhao stopped her. Lian Zhao looked at her, smiled slightly, and walked ahead of her.

Xiao Xiao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and obediently followed him.

The secret passage wasn't long, with only about ten steps. After descending the steps, the music became increasingly clear. A faint light shimmered, leading the group into an underground chamber.

The underground chamber was filled with walking corpses. As the "anti-poison incense" in Bi Zi's hand gradually spread, the corpses collapsed to the ground. When everyone saw the scene inside, they were all astonished. The magic array filled with "Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts," Wen Jing kneeling on the ground with his eyes wide open in death, Wei Qi standing silently with his back to everyone, and the old man leisurely playing the zither in the prison cell...

"Master..." Wen Su cried out when he saw Wen Jing. He rushed to the corpse, knelt down, and was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. After everything they had been through, all pretense of affection had vanished. Yet, at this moment, he didn't know whether to grieve for the more than ten years of nurturing he had received, or to be thankful that he hadn't had to kill him with his own hands...

Seeing this scene, Xiao Xiao felt a pang of sorrow. The gentle sound of a zither drifted into her ears, entangling her thoughts. She slowly raised her eyes, looking at the old man in the cell, and spoke, "Master... Wang Wenqing?"

The music stopped abruptly. Wang Wenqing, in his cell, looked up at Xiaoxiao and smiled calmly.

“It’s her…” Wei Qi suddenly spoke, then turned around.

Upon seeing him, Xiao Xiao involuntarily took a step back. For a long time, Wei Qi had always worn a smile. But at this moment, the hatred in his expression was as cold as a knife, as if it could pierce into one's bones.

“It’s destiny…” Wei Qi’s eyes were filled with murderous intent. “I don’t believe it!”

After he finished speaking, he leaped up, drew the halberd from the magic array, and attacked Xiao Xiao.

Startled, before she could react, Lian Zhao beside her had already rushed forward. Seeing this, everyone else readily accepted the challenge.

Hearing the sounds of fighting, Wen Su closed his eyes briefly, then raised his hand and closed Wen Jing's eyes. He then stood up and joined the battle.

Wei Qi's martial arts skills were not weak, but facing so many experts, he couldn't gain the upper hand at all. His moves were filled with a frenzied, manic energy, leaving numerous openings. In just a short time, he was at a disadvantage.

Amidst the chaos of battle, Xiao Xiao felt a strange sense of detachment. She only felt a profound stillness around her, and in that silence, the sound of the zither rose again, its melodious notes lingering in her ears.

"Little girl, what's your name?"

Xiao Xiao heard Wang Wenqing ask this question with perfect clarity.

“Zuo Xiaoxiao,” Xiaoxiao answered calmly.

"Xiaoxiao," Wang Wenqing called out, paused for a moment, and then asked, "Do you want this world?"

No sooner had Wang Wenqing finished speaking than Wei Qi roared, "Impossible! She can't be the one to rule the world!"

She turned her head slightly and saw that Wei Qi was already injured and had no strength left to resist. But the hatred in his eyes burned even more fiercely, making her fearful.

The underground chamber suddenly fell silent. Amidst the lingering sound of the zither, only Wang Wenqing's voice remained.

"He who possesses the Nine Emperor Artifacts will rule the world. Taiping City, Hero's Fortress, Shennong Family, the Seventy-Two Islands of the East Sea, Yue Lan Sword Sect, Po Feng Liu, Shen Xiao Sect, the Lian Family of Divine Arrow, and the Qi Family. With the assistance of these nine families, how can we not conquer the world..."

Those inside the underground chamber were bewildered upon hearing this and looked at each other in confusion.

Wei Qi suddenly burst into wild laughter. "He who possesses the Nine Emperor Weapons will rule the world… So, I've been deceived all along. The Celestial Master truly is a master strategist, a masterful move indeed. You told me the whereabouts of these nine weapons merely to buy time." He glanced at Wen Jing, then looked up at Xiao Xiao, "Just a little bit more… I clearly had everything in my grasp. Celestial Master, you say I've schemed and plotted, but haven't you been just as cunning?! Now, the one who will rule the world isn't you! It's this 'Left Alliance Leader'… Hahaha…"

"People are shallow. They use the power of the Nine Emperors to become rulers of a region and enjoy wealth and glory. This is the lowest of ambitions." Wang Wenqing smiled at Xiaoxiao and said, "I have been waiting all my life for someone who can unify the world. Little girl, do you understand what I mean?"

"Nonsense!" Lian Zhao stepped forward and rebuked, "Celestial Master, you are a cultivator of the Tao. How can you utter such treasonous words today? Do you deserve the late Emperor's favor?!"

Wang Wenqing glanced at Lian Zhao and said, "Longbow and arrow box, this must be the young master of the Lian family, the Divine Archer. He eats the emperor's food and serves the emperor faithfully. He is indeed a pillar of the state. If I'm not mistaken, you must be acting on the emperor's orders to kill me."

Lian Zhao frowned and remained silent.

"No, not only me, but all the disciples of Shenxiao will probably not escape this calamity." Wang Wenqing said calmly, without any fear in his words. "Eliminating the root of the chaos and consolidating the court. His Majesty is very good at this. Since Marshal Yue can be beheaded, I am naturally no match for him either."

"How dare you!" Lian Zhao's anger was evident in his expression, and his tone became increasingly impatient.

Wang Wenqing laughed and said, "Young Master Lian, you heard what I just said, didn't you? Today, I am not the one who has obtained the 'Nine Emperors' Divine Artifacts'. I am at most one of the 'Nine Emperors'." He sighed softly, "If Young Master Lian really wants to eliminate the chaos, he should kill the one who leads the Nine Emperors."

Lian Zhao's heart tightened, and he turned to look at Xiao Xiao. The murderous intent in his expression crumbled, leaving only bewilderment.

"Impossible..." After a moment of silence, he spoke, uttering the same words Wei Qi had just said.

"My astrological predictions are never wrong. With the arrival of the Nine Emperors, the world will be unified." Wang Wenqing glanced at everyone. "The fact that you are all gathered here today is due to a series of coincidences and fortuitous events, all orchestrated by Heaven. You should all have noticed the mystery behind this, shouldn't you?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed slightly.

Everything that happened along the way seemed like a coincidence, or perhaps it was man-made. Could those inexplicable good and bad luck be simply a matter of "fate"?

Wang Wenqing looked at the surprised and puzzled crowd, a hint of helplessness in his expression. He spoke, saying, "Young Master Lian, you are also one of the Nine Emperors. If this young lady truly intends to unify the world, how will you face this?"

Lian Zhao felt his thoughts were in turmoil. He looked at Xiao Xiao, his breathing became slightly labored, and his whole body stiffened.

Xiao Xiao looked at him, recalling her inexplicable worry before she left. And indeed… it had come true…

I recall Lian Zhao once saying: "...The current emperor doesn't take the 'Nine Emperors' seriously. What the emperor worries about is that some people will use the name of the 'Nine Emperors' to spread rumors and disrupt the court. ...Rebellious officials and traitors are not to be feared. I'm afraid that if the Divine Firmament elevates a 'True Son of Heaven,' then the world will truly descend into chaos."

And now, her role is precisely that of the "chosen one" promoted by Shenxiao? ...Isn't that a bit too ironic...?

At this moment, Yin Xiao suddenly shouted, "You brat!" He grabbed Lian Zhao and glared at him, saying, "You dare to touch a single hair on that girl's head!"

Seeing this, Li Si exclaimed, "Oh dear, you robber, are you out of your mind? How could he do such a thing!"

“No, what if we have to sacrifice our own family for the greater good?” Yue Huaixi chimed in from the side.

"No one is allowed to touch the master!" Hiko and Oniu said in unison.

"We're all on the same side, let's not argue," Wei Ying advised when she saw the situation.

"Who's on our side if they're a lackey of the imperial court?! This alliance is only because of that girl!"

"That's not the point!"

...

For some reason, the situation in the underground chamber suddenly became chaotic. Xiao Xiao blinked and looked at the group of people known as the "Nine Emperors," and couldn't help but laugh.

People are all different. Zuo Xiaoxiao certainly did many things by accident, and inexplicably became the leader of the martial arts alliance. However, this doesn't mean everyone here will obey her orders. Leaving aside others, just consider Lian Zhao—he definitely won't. How difficult would it be for him to commit treason? He might even betray his own family for the greater good! Tsk, if that happened, the alliance would definitely collapse. Then, who should she side with? Oh dear, how did we end up back where we started?

As she thought about it, she laughed out loud.

Everyone fell silent upon hearing the laughter and looked at Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao stopped laughing, looked at Wang Wenqing, and said, "Celestial Master, do you really think I can unify the world?"

Wang Wenqing looked at her, narrowed his eyes slightly, and remained silent.

Xiao Xiao said helplessly, "Actually, I'm not very capable. The 'heroine' thing is a complete misunderstanding. As for being the leader of the martial arts alliance, it's just a title. The only martial art I'm really good at is a simple grappling technique, but I've been defeated by many people. The rest is just bluffing. But once someone's been fooled a few times, they won't fall for it again." She glanced at Yin Xiao as she said this, "And then there's singing... but I don't play the sanxian as well as my martial uncle, and I don't sing as well as Miss Li..."

Wen Su and Li Si were both taken aback, and then they felt helpless.

"Anyway..." Xiao Xiao smiled slightly, "I don't think I can conquer the world... It must be a misunderstanding..."

Wang Wenqing sighed and said, "Young lady, do you really not want to unify the world?"

Xiao Xiao countered, "Why does the Celestial Master want to unify the world?"

Wang Wenqing hesitated for a moment before speaking, saying, "Young lady, at your age, you must have witnessed war firsthand."

She nodded slightly.

"The world's conflicts are like the waxing and waning of the sun and moon, the overflowing and drying of rivers, endlessly repeating themselves. Speaking of our dynasty alone, although the Jingkang Incident is over, powerful enemies remain, and the disputes never cease. The Lian family, the Divine Archers, should know these things better than I do."

Hearing these words, Lian Zhao couldn't help but feel melancholy.

"As I just said, using the 'Nine Emperors' to become a ruler of a region is a lowly ambition," Wang Wenqing's tone suddenly sharpened. "But if we were to use the power of the Nine Emperors, we could unify the four seas. From then on, there would be no more distinctions between nations, no more strife and war, and the world could enjoy eternal peace. This is the true path of the Great Dao. Little girl, do you understand what I mean?"

Xiao Xiao lowered her head, understanding dawning on her. If there had been no division between the Jin and Song dynasties, perhaps the Jingkang Incident would never have occurred. National hatred would no longer be national hatred, nor would family feuds be family feuds. With the world unified, true peace would prevail.

She was an orphan. When she was little, her master told her that she was found in Zhuxian Town. That year, Marshal Yue was recalled by twelve imperial edicts, the Jin army counterattacked, and the civilians who could not evacuate in time were massacred. Her biological parents may have died in that massacre.

She was adopted by her master and grew up peacefully and carefree. However, how many children in the world are like her, and how many of them are as lucky as her to meet a master? Putting ourselves in her shoes, who wouldn't want eternal peace, far from the flames of war?

This kind of "great way" is far greater than protecting the country, eliminating violence and maintaining order, or anything else... so great that it is impossible to refute.

At that moment, everyone present, even Lian Zhao, felt a sense of doubt.

“Master, I am just a human being,” Xiao Xiao suddenly said.

Wang Wenqing looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

“The Celestial Master is right. If that’s the case, the war can truly be eliminated. But…” She took a small breath and said, “…If I agree to this request today, it will be an open act of defiance against the imperial court. Everyone here will become wanted criminals. Before the world can be at peace, we will be plunged into conflict. Compared to the ‘Great Dao,’ such a sacrifice is indeed nothing. However, I am just a mortal. Rather than seeking the Great Dao that brings peace to the world, I hope to simply protect what is before me.”

She paused, then smiled and said, "Heaven and earth are vast, and all things are small. Only by being small can one achieve greatness. My name is 'Little,' so how could I possibly accomplish 'great things'?"

Wang Wenqing looked at her, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly smiled, "Wuwei..."

After saying those two words, he smiled and played the zither, saying no more.

Xiao Xiao stopped speaking, but suddenly felt as if she understood many things. She seemed to be slowly beginning to understand why her master had given up on the Nine Emperors and left Shenxiao. And this understanding filled her with satisfaction and gradually brought her joy.

She smiled, looked at everyone, and said, "Let's go out!"

After hearing her words, everyone remained silent. But as soon as she spoke, smiles began to appear on everyone's faces.

"Yes, yes, let's go out. Listening to you talk is giving me a stomachache," Shi Le'er said with a frown.

She turned around, grabbed the little hand, and walked out.

Xiao Xiao glanced at Lian Zhao, feeling helpless.

Just then, a disciple from the "Qufang" strode over, slightly frightened, and said, "Alliance Leader! A large contingent of imperial troops has arrived outside the temple and has surrounded it."

I was slightly startled, but then I heard the music stop abruptly.

Wang Wenqing slowly stood up, "They really came..."

A little confused, they've arrived? Who's here?

...

Innocent people

Wang Wenqing slowly stood up, "They really came..."

A little confused, they've arrived? Who's here?

Before Xiao Xiao could think it through, she sensed the eerie atmosphere around her. After the "Qu Fang" disciple finished his report, the hostility in the underground chamber turned to another person: Lian Zhao.

"Young Master Lian, don't tell me that the troops outside the temple have anything to do with you," Yin Xiao said, arms crossed and a look of disdain on his face.

Lian Zhao glanced at everyone, then his gaze settled on Xiao Xiao, and he said calmly, "It was indeed me who informed the court of the news."

Yin Xiao frowned, about to make a move, but Lian Zhao said again, "This is my duty, you all haven't forgotten, have you?"

"Does Young Master Lian mean that the troops weren't coming for us?" Li Si asked with a smile.

"No," Lian Zhao replied without the slightest hesitation.

Xiao Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, just as she was about to relax. Wang Wenqing smiled and asked, "Young Master Lian, may I ask who is leading the troops here?"