Meister der Mehrdeutigkeit

Kapitel 79

She lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Wen Su looked at her in silence, her expression carrying an unusual loneliness. He hesitated, then reached out and gently patted her small head.

Xiao Xiao was startled and jumped back a step.

Wen Su was slightly embarrassed. He spoke up, saying, "If my elder brother were watching from heaven, he wouldn't want to see you so heartbroken..."

Xiao Xiao smiled and said, "I know that my uncle is doing this for my own good. I will remember your words."

Wen Su's eyes still held a hint of melancholy as he slowly said, "It's good that you know..."

"By the way, Uncle-Master, how did you know I was here?" Xiao Xiao asked with a smile.

"It would be strange if you couldn't hear the deafening sound of the sanxian..." Wen Su replied.

Xiao Xiao was taken aback for a moment, "Huh? Is it that bad?"

“Yes…” Wen Su reached out, took the sanxian from her arms, walked to the edge of the reef, and sat down. Then, he began to strum the strings.

Xiao Xiao was quite surprised. She really didn't know that her uncle-master could play the sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument).

Xiao Xiao was stunned. The posture, the tone of the strings—it was exactly the same as her master's. His fingering and string control were a hundred times better than hers.

However, Xiao Xiao soon noticed the difference. Wen Su's eyes were empty and cold, his gaze fixed on the distant void, making the sound of the sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument) seem inexplicably cold and distant. When her master played the zither, he always had a smile on his face, making him kind and warm.

After the piece was finished, Wen Su turned to look at Xiao Xiao and said, "You can't even play a piece like this, yet you dare to disturb people's peaceful dreams every night."

Xiao Xiao, forcing a smile, replied, "Uncle-Master, you can't make money playing like that..."

Wen Su frowned. "What?"

Xiao Xiao walked up to him and said earnestly, "The so-called street performance is supposed to be a bit vulgar and enthusiastic. This cold and deserted place is like a funeral for selling oneself into servitude..."

The small second half of the sentence was choked off by Wen Su's cold gaze.

"Fine, a more common tune, is that it?" Wen Su was slightly annoyed. He took a deep breath and plucked the strings.

When this piece came out, Xiao Xiao was dumbfounded. Yes, it was the same tune she played every night, but compared to her, Wen Su's tone was far superior…

Wen Su raised his eyes and smiled slightly, seemingly in a provocative manner.

Xiao Xiao blinked, "Uncle-Master... not enthusiastic enough..."

Wen Su frowned, and his finger movements became even faster.

"Enthusiasm doesn't mean playing fast," Xiao Xiao said with a smile.

"..." Wen Su ignored her and continued playing his instrument.

“Hey, Uncle-Master, that’s not being humble at all.” Xiao Xiao sat down and said earnestly, “As the saying goes: there is an order in learning the Way, and each profession has its own expertise. A disciple is not necessarily inferior to his master, and a master is not necessarily more virtuous than his disciple. Although I am a junior, when it comes to singing for a living, I am definitely…”

"Stop nagging!" Wen Su looked up, slightly annoyed. However, there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Xiao Xiao, shameless as ever, laughed and said, "But I'm telling the truth! Come on, let me demonstrate for you!" After she finished speaking, she reached out and grabbed the sanxian.

Wen Su spun around and stood up. "With your skills, you think you can snatch something from me?"

"Uncle-Master, that's my sanxian..." Xiao Xiao said helplessly.

Wen Su glanced at her, "Disrespectful to elders."

“Then why are you bullying the younger generation?” Xiao Xiao retorted.

Wen Su, with a cold face, handed her the sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument). "Take it."

Xiao Xiao carefully took it and hugged the sanxian to her chest.

“Singing for money in the middle of the night, I’d be happy if you used that kind of perseverance on martial arts training.” Wen Su finished speaking and turned around. “Get some rest, we have important things to do tomorrow.”

"Yes, Uncle-Master," Xiao Xiao replied with a smile.

Wen Su walked a few steps with a cold face, then couldn't help but laugh. "Who would go busking..." he chuckled to himself.

Xiao Xiao watched his retreating figure, smiling quietly. That's right, he wasn't her master… never had been. Whether angry or smiling, it was all different. He was who he was… and couldn't replace anyone else.

"I'm sorry... Uncle-Master..." she whispered, "Actually, you're not very much like my master... really..."

...

...This is a dividing line indicating that peace has ended = =+...

Early the next morning, the imperial warships arrayed themselves at sea. The warships were arranged in three layers: the first layer, the vanguard, consisted of three fast warships; the second layer, the middle defense, comprised six ironclad warships; and the third layer, the rear defense, consisted of nine ironclad warships. Within the formation were also dozens of lightly armed small boats for guerrilla warfare. Apart from the vanguard fast ships and guerrilla boats, all the other warships in the formation were interconnected by iron chains.

Upon seeing this formation, everyone in the East China Sea was reminded of Cao Cao's Battle of Red Cliffs. Both armies were unfamiliar with water, and both had their ships linked together. However, compared to the Battle of Red Cliffs, the Lian family's military strength this time seemed rather weak.

The East China Sea has seventy-two islands, with a total of one hundred warships and over five hundred small boats of various shapes. Moreover, the sect has a thousand disciples, all of whom are proficient in swimming and familiar with naval warfare. With such a disparity in strength, everyone thought they had guessed the outcome. However, when the battle officially began, everything was completely different from what they had imagined.

The East China Sea warships followed standard tactics, attacking the enemy formation in small groups. At this point, the three fast ships of the Lian family vanguard would inevitably use their speed to separate them, followed by the six ironclad warships in the middle defense to hold off the remaining ships. Once isolated, the East China Sea ships were surrounded by the nine ironclad warships in the rear. These ironclad warships, already linked by iron chains, formed a net-like trap, leaving the ships inside like turtles in a jar, utterly defenseless.

The disciples of the East Sea initially intended to use their superior swimming skills to break through the encirclement, but the Lian family's arrow formation was ruthless. Dozens of small boats were filled with Lian family archers, all using powerful bows with a draw weight of two stones. The arrows were also reinforced with fine steel for added weight to prepare them for breaking through water. What was even more chilling was that all the arrows were coated with deadly poison; anyone struck by one would surely die within three quarters of an hour.

Within half a day, the East China Sea warships were in complete retreat, gaining no advantage whatsoever.

Wen Jing stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the ship, watching the battle unfold before him, and sighed softly. "The Lian family of Divine Arrows certainly doesn't act like the Jianghu (martial arts world). In the way of war, if you don't win, you lose; they have absolutely no sense of morality." He turned his head and said, "Wen Su."

Wen Su clasped his hands in greeting, "Disciple is here."

"Take a few disciples who are good swimmers and escort the helmsman back to the island after the battle," Wen Jing said.

“Disciple understands,” Wen Su replied.

...

The middle ship among the nine rear guard vessels was the Lian family's flagship. Amidst the chaos and devastation of war, a beautiful woman sat at the bow of the flagship, her slender hands focused on embroidery.

"Your Highness is in high spirits," Wei Qi said as he stepped forward.

The embroiderer was none other than Xi Yuan, the owner of the Qiansi Embroidery Shop. Xi Yuan's needle and thread did not stop as she smiled at the man and said, "The piece I am embroidering is 'The Blue Sea Breaking the Army.' After we return victorious, I will present it to His Majesty."

"Your Highness is indeed loyal to the emperor and loves your country. I admire you," Wei Qi said with a smile.

Xi Yuan smiled and said, "It is thanks to the Celestial Master's favor that Qiansi Embroidery Shop has been able to gain a foothold in the martial arts world. If the Celestial Master says he wants to return to the court to serve the Emperor, Xi Yuan will have no objection. However..." Xi Yuan paused her needlework slightly, "However, if someone uses the Celestial Master's name... Xi Yuan, though a woman, will certainly not let him go."

Wei Qi nodded and said, "Well said. However, the Celestial Master has extraordinary abilities. Who in this world can deceive him? You are overthinking it, Master."

Xi Yuan twirled the silk thread in his hand and smiled, "That's what I think too."

Wei Qi raised his eyes, "My Lady, it seems you'll have to put your 'Azure Waves Breaking the Army' painting on hold for a while..."

Xi Yuan stopped needlework, looked up, and saw a speedboat suddenly enter the formation of nine ships. The person on the boat was Wen Su.

Within the naval formation, the helmsmen who had been trapped in the East China Sea had already been imprisoned on small boats. Unexpectedly, as soon as this speedboat entered the formation, it destroyed several of the small boats.

"Fire!" the soldiers on the ship ordered immediately upon seeing this.

But then the people on the boat all jumped into the water.

Although the Lian family possessed powerful bows and fine steel, their arrows could only penetrate five feet of water. However, the men had dived so deep that their arrows couldn't reach the depths. Instead, the small boats where the archers were positioned were chipped away, capsized, and fell into the water. Once in the water, the Lian family soldiers, skilled in land warfare, were no match for the disciples of the East Sea.

In no time at all, the captured captains were rescued, seized several small boats, and escaped from the battlefield.

Xi Yuan smiled, flicked her sleeve, and stood up. "A single embroidery is rather stingy; Xi Yuan should give a much more generous gift."

After speaking, she picked up the unfinished embroidery, leaped down, and landed on a small boat. She picked up a colorful rope, and with a flick of her wrist, shot a needle. Countless colorful ropes plunged into the water. She pulled on the ropes, and several disciples who had suddenly entered the water were pulled to the surface. She smiled slightly, and several slightly thicker long needles appeared between her fingers. These were "Vein-Sealing Needles," specially designed to sever the flow of vital energy.

Just as she was about to shoot, a cold, sharp glint of light appeared. The colorful threads snapped, and the disciples who had been pulled out were thrown back into the water, disappearing instantly.

"The Double Yin Blades truly live up to their name," Xi Yuan said with a smile as he put away his needles.

Wen Su waved the knife in his hand, stood on the small boat beside him, and nodded, saying, "What a fine embroidery technique."

Xi Yuan, holding the embroidery, said, "Then let's see if your twin swords are more powerful, or if my needlework is superior!" After she finished speaking, the sealing needle in her hand shot out, aiming directly at Wen Su.

Wen Su leaped into the air, avoiding the needles.

Xi Yuan had a backup plan. She raised the needle again and shot it towards Wen Su in mid-air.

Wen Su spun around and swung his sword, knocking down all the needles without sustaining any injury. However, in the next instant, he landed right in front of Xi Yuan.

Xi Yuan was startled and immediately used the Sealing Meridian Needle to fight back.

Wen Su remained indifferent, completely unconcerned. His movements were fluid and graceful, yet Xi Yuan was unable to get close at all.

Upon seeing this, Wei Qi on the boat sighed softly, but still watched with great interest.

Wen Su glanced at the main ship, frowned, and then stomped his foot hard. The small boat tilted to the side due to the force of the impact. Xi Yuan staggered and hurriedly leaped up. Wen Su made his move, unleashing a killing strike with his blade.

At that moment, a long arrow pierced the air and struck the knife in Wen Su's hand.

The blade jolted, deviating from its trajectory.

Xi Yuan seized the opportunity to extricate himself.

Wen Su glanced at the long arrow embedded in the small boat, a cold smile appearing on his face. He turned and leaped onto the main ship. Ignoring everyone else, he swung his sword and attacked the archer.

Several long arrows shot out, halting Wen Su's attack. Wen Su dodged the arrows, steadied himself, stood up, and looked at his opponent.

Lian Zhao's fingers remained on the bowstring, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he looked at Wen Su.

The two remained silent, staring at each other in silence. The battle raged around them, the shouts of battle mingling with cries of agony, spreading out in layers. But the two seemed completely oblivious.

At that moment, everyone on board felt a chilling fighting spirit.

Suddenly, in an instant, the two attacked simultaneously, engaging in close combat.

The soldiers on the ship had already drawn their bows, but none of them dared to fire a single arrow first.

Wen Su was naturally very familiar with Lian Zhao's moves, and so was Lian Zhao. The two exchanged dozens of blows, but neither could gain the upper hand.

Wen Su secretly gathered his strength, channeled it into his blade, and slashed down fiercely.

Lian Zhao did not dodge; instead, he thrust his carved bow forward to block the blade.

The sword and bow clashed, their forces striking each other, and both men were thrown back several steps.

Wen Su steadied himself, his eyes filled with surprise. His hand, gripping the knife, was still slightly numb. In just one month, Lian Zhao's internal strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, becoming comparable to his own.

“You’re probably the only one who dares to venture alone into my flagship,” Lian Zhao said, stopping and catching his breath.

Wen Su looked at him and said, "Shoot the man, shoot the horse; capture the thief, capture the king. This principle of the battlefield is not something only you understand."

Upon hearing this, Lian Zhao lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, "To catch the thief, catch the king..." He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, "That's only if you can kill me."

"The internal strength of Yan Zhengzong of Shaoyang is indeed profound and extensive. Killing you will not be easy, but it won't be too difficult either," Wen Su said.

Lian Zhao sheathed his bow and said, "Lian Zhao is not a member of the martial arts world. The rules of the martial arts world, which allow for one-on-one combat, are not the way to win in the military."

As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers around him surged forward and surrounded Wen Su.